28 February 2024 , 13:09
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The Duke of Sussex has lost a legal challenge against the Home Office over his right to automatic police protection in the UK - where he admitted he felt "forced" to step back from the Royal Family alongside Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Sussex challenged a February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) after being told he would no longer be given the "same degree” of personal protective security when visiting after moving abroad. He is set to appeal against the High Court ruling, a spokesperson said.
Harry’s lawyers say he was "singled out” and treated "less favourably” in the decision, arguing a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”.
But he failed - and a detailed 51-page judgement has shed light on the discussions that went on between both sides during a turbulent few years. At the beginning, it notes Prince Harry's feelings on him and the Duchess of Sussex stepping back - and notes they "felt forced" to leave the Royal Family.
Prince Harry said he felt "forced" to step back from the role (Getty Images)In a witness statement, Harry told the court: "My wife and I felt forced to step back from this role and leave the country in 2020." Later on, the judgement reveals how Prince Harry was in shock that conversations concerning his family's security didn't involve him
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It reveals that a letter sent from the Duke’s private secretary to Sir Mark Sedwill, the Cabinet Secretary, expressed the Duke’s “disbelief that such important conversations were being had without any attempt by anyone to consult (him).”
The letter asked which official was willing to put him and his family in a position of extreme vulnerability and risk – "a position that no one was willing to put my mother in 23 years ago – and yet today, with greater risk, as mentioned above, with the additional layers of racism and extremism, someone is comfortable taking accountability for what could happen. I would like that person’s name who is willing to take accountability for this choice please …”.
The judge added that the Duke believed an unfair decision was being imposed upon him “without a sensible amount of consultation as some form of punishment for protecting my family and putting them first”. Harry asked for a 6-12 month review in order to establish what was actually needed as the pair embarked on a new life outside of the UK.
It adds: "[The Duke] would like “to see a full report of the current risk matrix please, and the justification that countries outside of the UK somehow change the international threat to us." At a hearing in London in December, the US-based duke’s lawyers said he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision by the body that falls under the remit of the Home Office.
They said a failure to carry out a risk analysis and fully consider the impact of a “successful attack” on him meant the approach to his protection was “unlawful and unfair”. Following the ruling, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We are pleased that the court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case and we are carefully considering our next steps.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further.
“The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”
Harry will seek to appeal against the High Court ruling, a spokesperson said