Prince Harry loses legal battle over UK security protection

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry has lost a court challenge against the British government’s decision to strip him of taxpayer-funded security protection when quitting his royal working duties.

PRINCE HARRY LOSES UK HIGH COURT CHALLENGE

Harry took legal action against the Home Office after it decided in February 2020 that he would no longer be given the “same degree” of protection when in the country, as such stripping him of his security protection.

During a hearing in December 203, lawyers for Prince Harry argued the decision meant he was “singled out”. The Duke of Sussex also argued that had been treated unfairly in the changes to his police protection, especially when he faced significant security threats.

According to BBC, Prince Harry will be appealing against the court’s ruling that there was nothing unlawful in these security decisions.

“The duke is not asking for preferential treatment,” said his lawyers after the High Court ruling. They are however going to argue about how there has been an unfairness in how decisions were made about his publicly-funded security protection.

Prince Harry’s court battle with the British government comes after Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped back from being a working royal and moved to the US. When they moved to the US, they were no longer provided with the same level of police protection given to the Royal Family, instead their security was to be decided on a case-by-case basis.

This means security would be provided in the same way it has been provided to other high-profile stars who visit the UK.

‘THE DUKE IS NOT ASKING FOR PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT’

Prince Harry’s legal spokesperson told CNN: “The Duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of RAVEC’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with RAVEC’s own written policy”.

Following the ruling, a Home Office spokesperson told CNN that they were pleased with how the court has favoured the British government’s position.

“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”, they noted.

They continued: “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”.