Prince Harry is reportedly concerned that the recent security review measures announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could delay a decision on his own risk assessment. The Duke of Sussex lost a legal battle against the Home Office over the security arrangements for him and his family while in the UK, after his level of protection changed when he stopped being a working royal in 2020.
Security review granted after return to Britain
Following their return to Britain in the summer, the Sussexes were granted a security review by the Home Office, a decision on which has yet to be published. According to The Telegraph, Harry and his team are considering their next steps because they are concerned that the review could either delay any decision on his security measures or leave them unchanged.
On Monday, Ms Mahmood announced that security arrangements for high-profile public figures, including politicians and royals, will be reviewed urgently after the killing of Ann Widdecombe and other recent events.
Expansion of police support
Police support will be expanded to include leaders of political parties who are not MPs, as well as peers, former MPs, former members of the devolved parliaments and political party spokespeople, she said. The independent review, carried out by former national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove, will look at how existing security is provided and whether funding and measures are being used effectively.
It will build on the work of Sir Robert Buckland, who is conducting a separate review into the murder of Sir David Amess, Ms Mahmood told the Commons.
Home Secretary's statement
Ms Mahmood said: “Those who enter public life do so to serve. Robust debate and criticism are part of the job. Threats, abuse and violence are not.
“An attack on any individual in public life is an attack on every one of us, and it is an attack on democracy itself.
“We owe it to those public servants we have tragically lost, and to everyone who believes in a fair and open country, to ensure those who serve receive the protection they deserve.”
A source close to Prince Harry told the newspaper said: “If the review is genuinely root-and-branch and truly independent, it could provide an opportunity to shine a light on the current processes, which appear contradictory and allow far too much discretion to be exercised according to political appetite or bias, rather than being grounded in an objective.”
