The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday the public would give Prince Harry the "benefit of the doubt" over his home movie showing him calling army colleagues "Paki" and "raghead."

Brown said the 24-year-old royal, who is third in line to the throne, knew his language was unacceptable and his apology was sincere.

But the father of the Pakistani soldier who Harry called "our little Paki friend" said he could not accept the prince's apology, insisting that he should say sorry to the Islamabad government. The News of the World newspaper on Sunday published the video clips made by Harry in 2006 while he was an army officer cadet. The prince's office said Harry was extremely sorry for any offence caused.

"The sincerity of his apology cannot be doubted," Brown told GMTV television.

"It was a mistake, he has made the admission of that and, once he has made his apology, I think the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and has done well fighting for our country, gone into very difficult situations with bravery, I think they will give him the benefit of the doubt.

"I think Prince Harry knows that these comments are unacceptable.