Royal Police RTC

Fri, 12 February 2010 Courtesy of: Sun Online

Prince Andrew is at the centre of a police probe after he hit a police officer in his 4x4 driving into Buckingham Palace.

The Prince is said to have raced up to a gate at speed and failed to stop or even slow down after clattering into the officer.

The uniformed policeman suffered an arm injury and complained to his bosses about the Duke of York's careless driving.

“His worry is that the complaint won't be taken seriously by the authorities”

The bump happened after the officer saw Andrew's Range Rover heading for a side entrance to the Palace and realised two Japanese tourists were in the way.

He rushed to move the pair out of reach but was hit himself as the vehicle sped over the lowered steel barriers at the gate on Constitution Hill.

A police source said "The officer realised the tourists hadn't seen Andrew.

"He did what he is paid to do and rushed to protect them but was hit himself. Andrew didn't slow down and carried on as though nothing had happened."

The Duke of York, 49, was not arrested or questioned but the crash is being investigated and CCTV film is being studied.

The source added "The Royals tend to drive in quickly because of security risks, but this has left the officer really shaken up.

"His worry is that the complaint won't be taken seriously by the authorities."

A Buckingham Palace spokesman refused to comment on the incident involving Andrew - who is currently in Central America as UK trade ambassador - for "security reasons".