Prince Harry’s former regiment probed after racist selfie storm as black soldiers branded “n*****s”

SOLDIERS at Prince Harry’s former regiment were  engulfed in a racism storm last night after black colleagues were branded “n*****s”.

Military cops are investigating members of the Blues and Royals over disgusting jibes sparked by a leaving do selfie.

Cavalryman Ashley Parker  posted the snap  on message site WhatsApp with seven black soldiers eating behind him, captioned: “What’s going on here then! Band of brothers.”

Within  seconds a man called  “Neil”, who is also believed to be in the unit, replies: “F****** NNNNNiii — N*****s.”

Lance Corporal Ashley Halstead then says the men were talking about how little money they made. “Neil” then sneers: “Better than being back home walking 20k for water.”

Two others named “Stokesy” and “Richie” make tasteless jokes  before an unnamed pal told them: “Go f*** yourselves.”

The snap was taken last week at a leaving do at the regiment’s barracks in Windsor. The black soldiers are from The Life Guards which form the Household Cavalry with the Blues and Royals.

Plymouth MP Johnny Mercer, an ex-Army captain, said: “It’s astonishing. In all my time in the British Army I never came across racism. The realities of combat do not allow for this sort of pathetic tribalism. I’m highly disappointed to see it in 2016.”

The exchange was revealed by a soldier who posted a screenshot  on Facebook. Appalled squaddies dubbed it “shocking” with one saying: “Pain-assisted learning is needed here.”

Another added: “Get him done over mate and he will be kicked out.”  A black ex-Army friend of one of the men in the background said his pal was furious but felt powerless to do anything about the racist remarks.

He said: “It has been reported and the police are involved.

“It is exactly why I left the Army. I loved my job, and all of these guys do, but I could not stand the racist remarks.

“These messages are disgusting and something needs to be done.”

L/Cpl  Halstead, 25, yesterday insisted he was not part of the racist exchange. He said: “I’ve already spoken to my second-in-command about this.  It is a very sensitive issue.”

His wife Sacha added at thefamily home in Windsor: “My husband is not a racist — he does not have a racist bone in his body. We have many friends from multi-cultural backgrounds.

“This is being blown out of  all proportion. What he wrote  on WhatsApp was not a racist comment.”

The family of “Neil” said they were unaware of any furore.

Brigadier John Donnelly, head of Army Personnel Services Group, said yesterday: “This is a very serious allegation which is subject to an ongoing Service Police investigation.”

He added: “The Army will not tolerate this type of behaviour, and anyone who is found guilty of committing such an offence will be punished in accordance with our disciplinary processes, which can include dismissal.”

Harry was a lieutenant in the Blues and Royals from 2006 to 2008.  He begged to join them in Iraq, saying: “There’s no way I’m going to put myself through Sandhurst and then sit on my a*** back home while my boys are out fighting for their country.”

However  MoD officials deemed it “too dangerous”. Harry later served in Afghanistan. Prince William  also joined him at the regiment  before leaving  to qualify as an RAF chopper pilot.