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<\/p>\nPRINCE Charles' top aide has quit amid claims he "fixed" an honour for a Saudi tycoon who donated millions to Royal charities.<\/p>\n
Michael Fawcett stepped down temporarily as the chief executive of The Prince's Foundation.<\/p>\n
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His resignation comes after he reportedly offered to help get a knighthood and British citizenship for businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz, the Daily Mail reported.<\/p>\n
A former Palace official said Mr Fawcett's resignation was "an earthquake" to Charles.<\/p>\n
Mr Fawcett reportedly earned \u00a395,000 a year as the head of Charles' charitable foundation, and was known as "Rasputin" by some colleagues.<\/p>\n
A former Royal aide told the Mail: "Michael brings the money in and gets results, so the Prince feels he needs him around, but I never liked him.<\/p>\n
"More importantly, Michael is a serious risk as far as the Prince\u2019s reputation is concerned."<\/p>\n
The Prince's Foundation chairman Douglas Connell told the Mail: "Earlier today, Michael Fawcett offered to step down temporarily from active duties as chief executive of The Prince\u2019s Foundation while the trustees\u2019 investigation is ongoing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
"The Prince\u2019s Foundation has accepted this offer. Michael fully supports the ongoing investigation and has confirmed that he will assist in every way."<\/p>\n
Mr Mahfouz received an honorary CBE from Charles in 2016 for "services to charities in the UK".<\/p>\n
He has made several big-money donations to Charles' charities.<\/p>\n
Mr Mahfouz allegedly donated to royal building restorations with the aim of securing UK citizenship.<\/p>\n
He was reportedly advised that honorary roles would help his application and leaked emails published in The Sunday Times show their award would lead to further donations.<\/p>\n
In one from 2014, William Bortrick, the owner of Burke\u2019s Peerage and a paid adviser to Mr Mahfouz, told colleagues that once he has \u201cHon OBE…\u2009more money will flow\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Fawcett reportedly \u201ccoordinated\u201d the application process that saw Mr Mahfouz \u201cupgraded\u201d from an honorary OBE to a CBE, which Prince Charles awarded in 2016.<\/p>\n
The Prince\u2019s Foundation said it was investigating the allegations.<\/p>\n
Mahfouz denies any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
Pals say he is an \u201chonourable philanthropist\u201d who has given large sums to charity.<\/p>\n
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