The European Commission said on Monday that it was willing to explore the idea of a Europe-wide ban on Nazi insignia, as demanded by German members of the European Parliament after Britains Prince Harry wore a Nazi costume to a party. Backers of a ban want the issue rushed onto the agenda of a European Union ministers' meeting next week. However some critics have already warned that such a move would threaten free speech. A spokesman for the EU home affairs commissioner, Franco Frattini, said he shared the general feeling of opprobrium at the use of the swastika and other Nazi symbols and that "It may be worth looking into the possibility of a Europe-wide ban, to explore that possibility at least." Although he cautioned that freedom of expression must be maintained and that any decision depended on whether or not all EU governments supported the idea.