Prince Harry’s “ill-judged” comments about killing 25 Taliban fighters in Afghanistan could incite an attack on British soldiers, a former senior army officer has said.

Colonel Richard Kemp, who took command of British Forces in Afghanistan in 2003, told Sky News the prince’s suggestion that British soldiers are trained to see their enemies as “less than human” was particularly dangerous.

Harry writes about his two tours of duty in Afghanistan in his highly anticipated memoir, Spare, a copy of which Sky News obtained before its release next week.

In it, the prince reveals that he killed 25 Taliban fighters and adds: “It was not something that filled me with satisfaction, but I was not ashamed either.”

Asked about the duke’s comments, Colonel Kemp told Sky News: “I think they’re probably ill-judged for two reasons. One is his suggestion that he killed 25 people will have reincited those people who wish him harm.”

Col Kemp, who retired in 2006, added: “The other problem I found with his comments was that he characterised the British Army basically as having trained him and other soldiers to see his enemy as less than human, just as chess pieces on a board to be swiped off, which is not the case. It’s the opposite of the case.”

He added it was these comments “in particular” that could “incite some people to attempt an attack on British soldiers anywhere in the world”.

Related posts:

Offensive or freedom of expression? Prophet Mohammed caricature at school sparks debate Kate writes ‘deeply personal and heartfelt letter’ to Sarah Everard’s family Cat killings trial hears ‘shocked’ owners found their pets bleeding on doorsteps Six people injured after car drives into crowd outside pub in Wales ‘It’s a miracle I’m alive’: Taxi driver who survived Liverpool terror attack condemns ‘evil act’ ‘We’ll see each other again’: Solskjaer gives emotional interview after Man Utd sacking Bulb on brink of collapse amid government talks with creditor US Open champion Emma Raducanu splits with coach Torben Beltz after only five months Police believe missing Katie Kenyon is dead and arrest man on suspicion of murder Another Tory MP submits letter of no confidence in Johnson over partygate Chelsea sack head coach Thomas Tuchel Kwarteng insists he is ‘not going anywhere’ and is ‘totally focused’ on growth plan