Prince Harry has argued in court that the security protection he receives when visiting the UK is inadequate, following a threat made against him by al Qaida. The disclosure came as part of his ongoing legal battle over the level of taxpayer-funded security he is entitled to after stepping back from royal duties in 2020.
Court documents show that Harry had specifically requested protection after the threat and claims the current arrangements are “inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective.” He says the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) downgraded his protection without conducting an individual risk assessment, instead applying a bespoke process not used for others.
His legal team argues that this process considers irrelevant factors—like the purpose of his visits—and is less comprehensive than the standard threat, vulnerability, and impact analysis used for other VIPs. They also claim other individuals receive more favourable treatment without justification.
The Home Office maintains that Harry’s situation is unique, given his decision to step back from royal duties and live abroad, and that no written policy covers such circumstances. A previous ruling in February 2024 upheld Ravec’s decision as neither irrational nor procedurally unfair.
Harry returned to London earlier this month for a two-day appeal hearing, part of which was held in private due to the sensitivity of the security details. The court’s ruling is expected after Easter.
Source: The Telegraph
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