AN INTERNATIONAL media storm has erupted over Prince Andrew’s stinging attack on the Ministry of Defence during his trip to Weymouth.

Now the mother of a Dorset soldier killed in Afghanistan a year ago has stepped into defend the Duke of York over comments he made about delays to a potentially life-saving armoured vehicle made by Universal Engineering on the Granby Industrial Estate.

Karen Charman-Allen, who yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the death of her son, Rifleman Phil Allen, said Prince Andrew was right to say the MoD should act quicker in equipping British soldiers with equipment that could save lives.

Since the Dorset Echo exclusively broke news of the Duke of York criticising MoD bosses as ‘completely hopeless’ and ‘sitting on their fat backsides’ the story has been splashed across the media.

It culminated in Dorset Echo reporter Arron Hendy, who wrote about the Royal visit, being interviewed for national BBC television and radio news programmes over the weekend.

Soldiers’ families have jumped to the defence of Prince Andrew, who hit out at the MoD for its reluctance to order the new Ranger vehicle built in Weymouth which is designed to give our forces in Afghanistan more protection against explosives.

Secretary of State for Defence Dr Liam Fox rejected Prince Andrew’s call on the Ranger vehicles, insisting vehicles now in service in Afghanistan were the best choice for the operation.

Dr Fox said that there were many people in the MoD working hard on buying items for the soldiers but agreed that a ‘dramatic and radical’ overhaul of the procurement process was needed.

James Gaggero, the chairman of Bland – parent company of Universal Engineering – did not want to comment on developments over the weekend.

The prince made his comments when he was given a presentation on the Ranger vehicle during a visit to manufacturer Universal Engineering last Thursday.

It has been suggested his comments amount to a ‘breach of protocol’ that dictates that members of the Royal Family should avoid expressing political views.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the comments were made at a private meeting with the board members of the company but did not want to comment further.

But a royal source told the Dorset Echo the prince’s views came from ‘his frustration at how the forces should be treated on the frontline.’ The source said: “Clearly the Duke’s comments are not directed towards particular civil servants.

“It’s his frustration at the MoD procedures but no individual.

“He was in the armed forces for 22 years and takes a close interest in the armed forces.”

Molly Rennie of Dorchester, whose son Alex is in the Rifles, said the prince’s time as a pilot in the Falklands War qualifies him to make ‘thoughtful and balanced comments.’ Mrs Rennie, who led the Dorchester Comfort Box Appeal for troops abroad, said: “It’s right that you’ve got somebody here with a high profile saying ‘come on let’s make sure it’s correct and let’s have the safety of people at the heart of this.

“Why shouldn’t he say when he served himself?

“I would suggest he’s perfectly entitled to his comments because he’s been there.”