Prince Harry loses challenge against decision to take away police protection when he is in UK

Prince Harry has lost a legal challenge against the government’s decision to take away his right to automatic police protection when he is in the UK.

His lawyers had argued that he was “singled out” and treated “less favourably” in the decision to change the level of his taxpayer-funded personal security.

It was claimed that 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 in a ruling on Wednesday, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the Duke of Sussex‘s case.

He ruled the decision to change his security status was not unlawful or “irrational”, and that there had been no “procedural unfairness”.

The judge added: “Even if such procedural unfairness occurred, the court would in any event be prevented from granting the claimant [Prince Harry] relief.

“This is because, leaving aside any such unlawfulness, it is highly likely that the outcome for the claimant would not have been substantially different.”

Most of the court proceedings were held in private – without the public or the press present – because of confidential evidence over security measures.

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Part of the ruling was redacted.

Sir Peter said this was because if some of the information was made public it would have “a serious adverse impact on the individuals concerned, as well as being contrary to the public interest, including that of national security”.

Prince Harry launched his legal action in February 2020 following the decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which has delegated responsibility from the Home Office.

Royal correspondent

Security has been a hugely contentious issue for the Sussexes ever since they left the UK. And this decision will be a bitter blow.

Prince Harry felt so aggrieved over the downgrading of his automatic police protection, he launched a lengthy legal challenge.

But now he’s lost, leaving questions about any future family visits.

Although most of this case had been heard in private, we did learn Prince Harry wanted to bring his children to Britain.

His statement described how he wanted Archie and Lilibet to feel at home in the UK.

It’s worth remembering Harry has never had his security completely removed. He is entitled to police protection here on a “case by case” basis. And the judge believes this is the rational decision.

We were expecting to see more of Harry in the UK this year. He hinted to this during a recent interview with an American TV network.

This year is the tenth anniversary of Invictus and the Sussexes were expected to attend an event.

Perhaps what this case has exposed is the highly secretive way security decisions are made. Very little is known about Ravec, the committee which determines protection for the royals and other VIPs.

Harry believed this secrecy led to unfairness, but a senior judge has now decided he was wrong.

The government argued the claim should be dismissed, because Ravec was entitled to conclude the duke’s protection should be “bespoke” and considered on a “case-by-case” basis.

In an interview last year Prince Harry said he was “stunned” when his security was taken away.

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The duke, who was not present at the December hearing, lives in California with wife Meghan and their children.

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