Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s security concerns have made headlines again since their UK return, and recently, a Labour MP weighed in on the matter. Discussing whether the Sussexes deserve taxpayer-funded security, the Labour MP argued that the Duke could be “a target” and should receive protection like any member of the royal family. For those unversed, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC) withdrew the privilege when Harry became a non-working royal.
Labour MP Barry Gardiner explains why he believes Prince Harry deserves taxpayer-funded security
Experts reportedly believe that Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and their children should receive taxpayer-funded security. During an interview with BBC’s Politics Live, Labour MP Barry Gardiner stated that the Sussexes should receive publicly funded protection. According to him, the Duke didn’t choose to be born into the royal family, but he has royal blood and will therefore always be “a target.”
“He didn’t ask to be born into that family. By being born into that family, he is a target, whether or not he has renounced his royal duties, and therefore I think he deserves the protection of the state,” Gardiner said.
Furthermore, his fellow guests agreed with his opinion. Poppy Coburn, Associate Comment Editor for The Daily Telegraph, said that Harry seemed to be “surrounded by this cultural battle.” Therefore, the security topic could seemingly be complicated. She claimed that there might not have been a problem if it was “anyone else.”
“Even still, let’s just remember it’s not about Harry, it’s not about Meghan, it’s about their children,” Coburn added. According to her, the taxpayer-funded security should be provided to the Sussexes because their children might need it. Joining the conversation, former Conservative MP and Justice Secretary Sir David Gauke also suggested that the prince’s protection may need to be increased.
He argued that the decision to provide Harry with security should depend on the level of threat he faces rather than whether he carries out royal duties. In his view, the security risk should be the deciding factor, and based on that standard, Harry may warrant protection.
