Last night Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, was accused to conducting secret meetings and influencing ministers to encourage use of homeopathy.

The Department of Health for the first time has admitted that homeopathy was a topic of discussion at private meetings between that were conducted between ministers and the prince who believes in alternative therapies strongly.

Every year the NHS on the complementary medicine spends millions of pounds especially at a time when proven lifesaving drugs for those with cancer are being restricted.

Earlier also the prince has been accused of interfering in Government policy after it was known that he had written to eight Whitehall departments in three years.

According to experts homeopathy is nothing more than a placebo as it claims to treat and prevent disease by using greatly diluted forms of herbs and minerals.

Health minister Mike O'Brien wrote, 'These are private meetings, have no fixed agenda and cover a wide range of topics of interest to both parties, which may sometimes include homeopathy.'

According to a Clarence House spokesman prince's meetings with ministers were normal in his position.