A leading Muslim in Britain who accused Prince Harry of being “a thug” for calling a Pakistani colleague at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst a “little Paki” made a public apology yesterday for his own choice of language.

Mohammed Shafiq, the chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, a Muslim youth organisation, admitted that he had allowed his emotions to get the better of him.

“On reflection, I wish to issue a sincere and unreserved apology to Prince Harry for any offence I have caused him,” he said.

Prince Harry, 24, himself apologised for using the phrase “little Paki” during his home-made video of Sandhurst colleagues, including a Pakistani officer cadet, while they were waiting for a military flight to Cyprus.

Mr Shafiq, 29, appeared on television over the weekend to vent his anger over Harry's remark and described the third in line to the throne as a thug.

Yesterday, he said: “I recognise that when we make mistakes we should be honourable and decent to accept them and I hope that this apology is accepted in that way. I never intended to offend Prince Harry.”

He added: “I am, however, still of the view that the use of the term 'Paki' is unacceptable in the 21st century and I welcome Prince Harry's acceptance that this word is racist and offensive. I know he is a very talented individual and has a bright future ahead of him and hope we all learn lessons from this sorry episode,” he said.

The Ramadhan Foundation, based in Greater Manchester, works for peaceful coexistence and dialogue for all communities.

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