A major charity linked to Prince Harry has admitted that its rangers committed human rights abuses in Congo-Brazzaville. The news comes after a report in January published last year by the Mail on Sunday accused African Parks rangers of beating, waterboarding and raping locals to stop them accessing ancestral forests.

Now, the conservation charity has published a statement acknowledging that human rights abuses occurred in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a review by Omnia Strategy, a London-based law firm.

Throughout the lengthy statement, there is no suggestion whatsoever that Prince Harry was aware or had any connection with the alleged abuses or that they took place when he was president of the charity or on its board.

The charity said in its statement: "African Parks acknowledges that, in some incidents, human rights abuses have occurred, and we deeply regret the pain and suffering caused to the victims.

"There is no place for any form of abuse in the name of conservation.

"Omnia’s investigation also highlighted several failures of our systems and processes that were insufficient for the level of responsibility given to us, particularly in the early years of our management of Odzala.

"We are committed to rectifying these issues and ensuring the protection of human rights throughout our operations.

"The Board of African Parks has reviewed Omnia’s advice and endorsed the management plan and timeframes to implement the recommendations resulting from this process."

The full findings of the investigation have not been made public by the charity.

The Telegraph reported that the Duke of Sussex was understood to have been "closely involved in understanding the findings and implementing any necessary change".