A friend of Prince Harry has called the exclusion of his taxpayer-funded security "spiteful", as plans continue to be evaluated to reinstate the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes' security.
Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, lost automatic taxpayer-funded police protection during their visits to Britain after they stepped back from royal duties and relocated to America.
Friend of Prince Harry, Alex Rayner, who served two tours in Afghanistan and went to the North Pole with the duke, criticised the decision not to permit him taxpayer-funded security.
"Harry is a royal who's significantly served in the Armed Forces," he said.
Prince Harry's friend called the exclusion of taxpayer-funded security for the duke 'spiteful'
| GETTY"To ask him to pay for it privately feels a tiny bit spiteful, given that there are other members of the Royal Family who receive it who do far less."
Mr Rayner touched on the upcoming Invictus Games scheduled for July, where Harry is scheduled to make his return to Britain.
He told The Daily Mail: "This guy was flying Apaches in a conflict, and we've got the Invictus Games coming up in Birmingham.
"Are we not supporting him for that?"
The duke's friend called on Harry to receive 'support'
|GETTY
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Home Office officials are reportedly "nervous" about reinstating Harry and Meghan's taxpayer-funded security amid "fear of public backlash".
The Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Ravec) is believed to be evaluating plans to provide protection for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Civil servants from the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, and the Foreign Office who sit on the Ravec committee are thought to oppose providing the couple with taxpayer-funded security while they are in Britain.
The officials are concerned that reinstating the Sussexes' protection will create too much political concern.
Home Office officials are reportedly 'nervous' about reinstating Harry and Meghan's taxpayer-funded security
| GETTYA comprehensive risk assessment is currently in progress, but no decision has been reached.
A Home Office source claimed there is debate amongst the team about whether to reinstate the security.
"There is nervousness among certain members of the committee who fear a public backlash. The political side believe there is too much political risk, while the police and security chiefs believe that he absolutely must have it due to the extant threat," the source told The Telegraph.
Last year, the duke lost a legal challenge in which he argued he was entitled to an official risk assessment to distinguish the dangers posed to him.
Last year, the duke lost a legal challenge in which he argued he was entitled to an official risk assessment to distinguish the dangers posed to him
| PAHarry said his court defeat was a "good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up" and criticised the royal household for influencing the decision.
He explained the move had prevented him from bringing Meghan and their children to Britain.
The Duke of Sussex wrote to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, requesting the decision to be re-evaluated.
A couple of months later, the Risk Management Board, which submits its findings to Ravec, had permitted a security review.
Harry is now awaiting a decision from Ravec, having submitted all the requested documents.
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