'HEARTBREAKING TO WITNESS SUCH BLATANT LIES'

HEARTBROKEN Prince Harry hit out at "blatant lies" about his charity Sentebale as a watchdog probe began.

- By Emily Ferguson Royal Editor

Welcoming the Charity Commission investigation, he said the racism storm "has been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal". Over the past week, the Duke of Sussex has been accused of "bullying and harassment" by Sentebale's chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka after he quit as patron and demanded her resignation.

Harry said he hoped that the Commission would uncover "the truth" about a bitter boardroom battle at the Africa charity which he had co-founded in memory of his late mother Princess Diana.

The watchdog yesterday revealed it had opened a regulatory compliance case regarding concerns raised. It was in direct contact with those involved, "to gather evidence" and assess if the charity had fulfilled its legal duties.

Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho set up up UK-registered Sentebale in 2006 but both have quit as patrons. Several trustees have also left over a row with Dr Chandauka, declaring that the "relationship between the charity's trustees and the chair of the board had broken down beyond repair".

She responded to the mass exodus from Sentebale with a statement alleging there had been "poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir [prejudice against black women]".

In an explosive TV interview, the Zimbabwean lawyer also said Harry tried to "eject" her from the charity via "bullying" and "harassment". She welcomed the probe.