Keir Starmer’s Government issues first statement on Prince Harry security row

The committee deciding on security for royalty, VIPs and senior public figures, known as Ravec, changed Prince Harry's level of protection when his status changed.

The Ravec committee decided that Prince Harry should have a “bespoke” arrangement for his publicly-funded security when in the UK, as he was no longer eligible for the level of protection for working royals.

Harry then challenged this through the High Court, launching a lawsuit against the British Home Secretary.

Retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the duke’s case to appeal the verdict in February 2024 and concluded the Home Office's approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.

Harry lost an initial attempt to appeal but was able to ask the Court of Appeal directly for permission to challenge Lane’s decision.

Earlier this month, Harry was granted permission to appeal against the dismissal of his High Court challenge.

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Now a new Government is in control, Prince Harry has a fresh opportunity to persuade Labour to change policy.

However, Starmer’s Government does not sound likely to shift its stance, instead defending the original process which brought about the ruling.

A Government spokesperson told Newsweek: “The UK Government's protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.

“It is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals' security.

“It would not be appropriate to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

Prince Harry's legal team previously said the duke “hopes he will obtain justice from the Court of Appeal”.

In a statement earlier this year, a legal spokesperson for Harry said: “The duke is not asking for preferential treatment, but for a fair and lawful application of Ravec’s own rules, ensuring that he receives the same consideration as others in accordance with Ravec’s own written policy.

“In February 2020, Ravec failed to apply its written policy to the Duke of Sussex and excluded him from a particular risk analysis.

“The duke’s case is that the so-called ‘bespoke process’ that applies to him is no substitute for that risk analysis.

“The Duke of Sussex hopes he will obtain justice from the court of appeal, and makes no further comment while the case is ongoing.”