Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police disclosed yesterday that they were investigating the precise circumstances of the car crash in Wiltshire on Wednesday night involving Camilla Parker Bowles, the close friend of the Prince of Wales.
Prince Charles's swift action in sending his protection officer to rescue Mrs Parker Bowles, and giving his aides permission to tell the press her side of the story, have led to tabloid reports of a hitherto unseen public acknowledgement of the pair's relationship. Mrs Parker Bowles was apparently driving towards Highgrove, the Prince's home, when the crash occurred.
As Carolyn Melville-Smith, the other driver involved in the crash, publicly criticised Mrs Parker Bowles's disappearance from the scene immediately afterwards, a senior royal source was busy putting across Prince Charles's mistress's side of the story.
"What Miss Melville-Smith actually saw was Mrs Parker Bowles running back to her car to get her mobile phone to summon help," said the senior royal source. "Because of the geography she couldn't see another car."
Mrs Parker Bowles is believed to have been obeying security instructions that she should immediately leave the scene of an accident because of the possibility that it was a front for a terrorist attack.
But Miss Melville-Smith, 53, of Easton Grey in Wiltshire, whose Volvo estate car overturned in the accident, leaving her trapped by her skirt, which was caught in the car door, was having none of it. "You should never leave the scene of an accident. If I had done it, I would be in a lot of trouble right now."
Mrs Parker Bowles had been heading for Prince Charles's Highgrove estate when the collision occurred on a narrow country road eight miles from the estate.
After calling the emergency services, she called Prince Charles, who immediately sent one of his royal protection officers to rescue her.
Asked if Mrs Parker Bowles could be prosecuted for leaving the scene, a police spokesman said: "It will depend on the exact circumstances. That is one of a number of things that will be fully investigated."
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, it is illegal to fail to report an accident or leave the scene without swapping addresses with anyone else involved. The maximum penalty is six months in prison and/or a fine and between five and 10 penalty points. Clare Garner
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments