Another week, another side-splitting gag from Prince Bernard Manning’s 1970s bumper joke book.

From the man who gave us “slitty eyed” Chinese, “potbellied” Hungarians, “drunken” Scots, “lazy” unemployed people “spear-chucking” Aborigines, countless “poofters” and last week told a photographer to “just take the f***ing picture”, he now asks East End housewives who they “sponge off”.

But he’s getting on, so let’s indulge him, say defenders.

The Palace said Phil meant cake, but he’s got form for looking down on people as spongers, including Simon Cowell, after a Royal Variety Show.

And (even if you agree with the Cowell slur) for the Queen’s hubby to accuse people of sponging is a crime against self-awareness.

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The Greek aristocrat has lived off his wife for more than half a century.

Next year, as welfare cuts bite, his family’s state aid rises by 6.7% to £43million.

Taxpayers are also expected to cough up £150million to do up a royal London palace.

Want to know what a sponge looks like, Phil?

Look in the mirror.

Want to see someone who should be kept indoors screaming abuse at the telly in case his next gaffe causes an international incident? Keep looking.

Take this genuine advice from a concerned republican who would hate to see the state add four more letters to the dozens we’ve already placed after your name – ASBO.