EU referendum: Buckingham Palace complains to IPSO and says Queen Elizabeth II is “politically neutral” after claims from The Sun that she is firmly in favour of a Brexit
Buckingham Palace has denied claims that Queen Elizabeth II harbours pro-Brexit views, stating she is "politically neutral", after claims by a newspaper.
The Palace has complained to Independent Press Standards Organisation over the allegations by The Sun.
The Queen had been claimed as a Brexit supporter, after an alleged conversation with the then-deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg over the path the European Union was following.
Her Majesty and Clegg had words during a lunch at Windsor Castle, according to the Sun, which quoted a source as saying: "People were left in no doubt about her views on Europe."
But Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen remains politically neutral, as she has for 63 years. We would never comment on spurious, anonymously sourced claims. The referendum will be a matter for the British people."
And Clegg took to Twitter to distance himself from the claims, and said he could not remember such a conversation taking place.
Re Sun story. As I told the journalist this is nonsense. I've no recollection of this happening & its not the sort of thing I would forget
— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) March 8, 2016
The Queen is reported to have told the former Lib Dem leader that the EU was heading in the wrong direction, and a source said she spoke with "quite some venom and emotion".
Last month, Her Majesty's grandson Prince William gave a speech indicating he was in favour of Britain remaining in the EU. "In an increasingly turbulent world, our ability to unite in common action with other nations is essential," he said. "It is the bedrock of our security and prosperity."
Members of the Royal family are allowed to vote but do not exercise the right as it would be considered unconstitutional.