The controversial design for the Scottish Parliament fits in with its surroundings and will be "magnificent" when it is completed, a spokesman for the Parliament said today.
He spoke out after comments from an architectural source close to the Prince of Wales claiming that he is unhappy with the design as it will not blend in with neighbouring buildings in Edinburgh.
Last week MSPs backed proposals to complete the Parliament without setting a cost limit. The move followed a debate on the contents of an official report which warned that the spirally costs of the building could exceed £234 million.
A spokesman for the Parliament today defended the project. He said: "There is a lot of people who have their views on the Parliament, but I am not going to respond to unsubstantiated sources."
"However, we believe that it will be a magnificent building and a building for the people of Scotland.
But the design does not appear to have met with royal approval.
The source close to the Prince told The Sunday Times: "He is not very happy at all with the style of the building. He believes new buildings should fit in with the existing environment, which this clearly will not.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman said he could not comment on anonymous sources.
He added: "The Prince has not said anything publicly about the building and if he wanted to do so he would choose the appropriate arena." The building is scheduled to be completed by the end of December 2002.
PA