Prince Harry addressed the recent dismissal of his legal case concerning security arrangements during an interview with BBC News on Friday. The interview comes on the heels of a court of appeal decision. That ruling deprived him and his family of any protection from police while they remain within the UK. During the program, he described the court’s decision as a “good old-fashioned establishment stitch-up,” indicating his discontent with the ruling.
The BBC included perspectives from Richard Aitch, a close protection professional and director of operations at Mobius International. Aitch echoed Prince Harry’s sentiments, stating he was “shocked but certainly not surprised” by the court’s judgment. He emphasized that the “provision of protection should not be based on legal argument,” but rather on a thorough assessment of “risk and threat against Harry.”
Even as the debate continued, Aitch stood by his assertion that the incident was a glaring failure in security preparedness. Most recently, American torts, he noted, should dictate protection, not legal rituals or forms. His claim that this was a classic example of a “stitch-up” resonated deeply. Prince Harry had said as much earlier in the interview, too.
After the interview, the BBC admitted it failed to provide Buckingham Palace’s side of the story in its coverage. The broadcaster described this oversight as “a lapse in our usual high editorial standards.”
On Instagram, Aitch continued to express his disdain about what happened that night. He stated, “There should not be any need to apologise BBC News for opinion-based interviews,” reinforcing his belief that independent threat assessments are crucial in matters of security. He criticized the focus on legal processes influenced by a committee that lacks independence, stating, “Absence of a threat and risk assessment on Prince Harry where the focus is on legal process influenced by the recommendations of a committee that is not independent, it defines ‘stitch up’.”
The UK government continues to insist that its protective security system is both excessive and appropriate. We’re Prince Harry and Aitch agreeing that the status quo isn’t good enough. They claim it doesn’t come anywhere close to meeting his very particular security needs.
Following Friday’s ruling, Buckingham Palace released a statement but did not comment further on the ongoing discussions surrounding Prince Harry’s security arrangements.