A NEWPORT war veteran who was sent to Auschwitz as slave labour is calling on Prince Harry to make a public apology over his wearing of a Nazi Swastika.

And Ron Jones, 87, of Highfield Road, Bassaleg, described Prince Harry's choice of costume as "irresponsible and disrespectful".

Controversy has raged since the third in line to the throne was photographed wearing a German desert uniform and Swastika armband to a fancy dress party.

It has been suggested that the 20-year-old should not be allowed to enrol at the prestigious Sandhurst military academy as a result of his actions. Mr Jones was a prisoner-of-war when he was sent as slave labour to the Polish death camp where an estimated 1.5 million people were murdered.

He was unhappy about Prince Harry's actions but did not think he should be prevented from entering Sandhurst.

"I thought it was a bit shoddy; a bit irresponsible and rather disrespectful especially as we approach that time of year when we remember the liberation of Auschwitz," said Mr Jones.

"Prince Harry should make a public apology and there the matter should rest. It shouldn't have any effect upon his army career."

The Prince's gaffe came shortly before Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 which marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.

It has been estimated that 15 million people, including at least 1.5 million children - mainly Jewish but also youngsters who were disabled, Romany and from occupied territories - were killed by the Nazis. Mr Jones was among a number of prisoners transferred out of the camp just weeks before its liberation.

In a statement Prince Harry said: "I am very sorry if I caused any offence or embarassment to anyone. It was a poor choice of costume