TalkTV star Kevin O'Sullivan launched a scathing attack on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during Friday's instalment of Plank of the Week, branding the couple "headline hunters" after they released a statement condemning paparazzi.
The outspoken presenter discussed the Sussexes' latest security scare, which prompted them to release a bombshell statement on Wednesday. In it, a spokesperson condemned two paparazzi for hanging around the new school of Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet in the UK.
Kevin O'Sullivan's Blistering Rant
Hitting back at Harry and Meghan's decision to release the highly-publicised statement, Kevin told the panel - which included Phil Dave, Candice Holdsworth, Howard Cox and Alex Dyke - that "this pathetic fame-hungry couple are desperate to make headlines."
Launching into a scathing rant, the journalist declared: "They're headline hunters!"
"That's why they released this statement. They didn't need to do this," he argued. "As I say, it's the behaviour of z-listers. Oh, look, the paparazzi are after us. We're really famous. It's pathetic. But they want to be in the papers. They want to be relevant. They want currency."
Sussexes' Statement on Paparazzi
Kevin's comments came days after Harry and Meghan hit back at the "unacceptable intrusion" by two paparazzi members, who were later confirmed to be working for a European press agency.
"The decision by photographers to conduct themselves in this way around a school is extraordinarily reckless," a spokesperson said on the Sussexes' behalf. "There is a world of difference between legitimate media activity and photographers walking the perimeter of a school, stopping to look into the grounds and monitoring children as they go about their day. It is concerning enough that certain European paparazzi appear unwilling to respect the privacy of children at school.
"But to behave in this manner in these particular circumstances, and so soon after the incident at RAF Fairford, demonstrates an extraordinary lack of judgment. Whatever photographs they may have been seeking, this was not only an unacceptable intrusion into the privacy of children; it was an irresponsible and ill-considered way to conduct themselves in the vicinity of a school."
Former Royal Security Chief Weighs In
While Kevin has been a vocal critic of Meghan and Harry's, he is not alone in his outrage at the statement. Dai Davis, former head of Met Police security for the Royal Family, told The Sun: "Every week their so-called security team has to come up with new things. Paparazzi is not a security incident. It is just to be expected.
"It's not unrealistic to expect some paparazzi who will chance their arm; the security team can deal with that easily. I hope Ravec aren't swayed, and that common sense prevails, as all the incidents amount to sweet FA. There's no comparison to Fairford. It's bordering on shameless but ridiculous as well."
