Prince's critics have 'cut me to pieces', says Peat

Sir Michael Peat, the Prince of Wales's private secretary, has hit back at critics of his inquiry into allegations surrounding the collapse of the Paul Burrell trial – complaining that he feels "cut to pieces in no-man's land".

He accused its detractors of finding the Royal Family "guilty until proved innocent". And in a veiled attack on Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service for allowing the trial to proceed in the absence of vital evidence against Mr Burrell, he hinted he would welcome an independent probe into the debacle.

"The Royal Household was only a bit player, but we seem to have been found guilty until proved innocent," Sir Michael said. And he added: "The Prince of Wales's office cannot conduct in isolation an inquiry into the termination of the Burrell trial."

St James's Palace is known to be furious over Scotland Yard's determination to pursue the Burrell case in the face of vital gaps in evidence against him. Prince Charles and Prince William were assured by police last year that there was compelling proof that Princess Diana's former butler had been seen wearing her clothes and had sold some of her possessions abroad. This evidence failed to materialise in court, a fact insiders insist contributed to the trial's collapse.

Sir Michael has come under fire for saying even before his inquiry was convened that he would not be calling the Queen as a witness. He also refuses to consider the contents of the so-called "rape tape", said to contain details of an alleged attack on former footman George Smith and a "shocking" act he claims to have seen a member of the Royal Family engaged in with a servant.

Sir Michael's remarks come as leading lawyers and Labour MPs continue to press for a full independent inquiry into the collapse of the trial and the allegations that have ensued. Paul Flynn, MP for Newport West, has written to Tony Blair demanding an external probe – something so far ruled out. Dismissing Sir Michael as a "royal groupie", he said: "It's like putting Alastair Campbell in charge of an investigation into spin-doctors.

"I'm sure the conclusions are already written." And he said claims that Prince Charles's personal assistant, Michael Fawcett, has been selling off unwanted gifts have made St James's Palace sound like an "Arthur Daley set-up". Referring also to allegations by George Smith that he was raped, he said the palace seemed to be "a cross between a porn movie and a junkyard".

And Anthony Scrivener QC said of the Queen's ability to intervene in Mr Burrell's trial without having to give evidence in court or in a written statement: "This has got to be sorted out. At the moment, the monarch is clearly above the law."