[LargeAndInCharge]

Prince Harry is to be withdrawn from Afghanistan after news broke of him serving there on the front line.

The 23-year-old royal, who has spent the last 10 weeks serving in Helmand Province, is to be flown back to the UK amid concerns for his safety.

The move follows the collapse of a news blackout deal, after foreign media leaked the story.

There had been fears the prince, who is third in line to the throne, could become a target for the Taleban.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence described the reporting of Harry's deployment by foreign media as "regrettable" but that contingency plans for such a leak were in place.

It added that while the prince should have returned "in a matter of weeks" with his Household Cavalry regiment battlegroup, the situation had now "clearly changed".

'Risks'

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, in consultation with head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, had taken the final decision to withdraw Harry immediately, the statement said.

"This decision has been taken primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual soldier," it added.

BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said it was "inevitable" Prince Harry would have to leave because of the risk the Taleban would increase attacks on British forces in Helmand due to a royal being in their midst.



For more go to - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7270743.stm


what ur opinions and thoughts?

[Matt10k]

Makes sense. Can you imagine what would happen if he got captured?!

[LargeAndInCharge]

yer, it would be bad.

it was revelaed that he was out there on a us blog, so well done america.

the taleban would not even no he was out there if it was not publicised.

[Matt10k]

I know, idiots. I bet he's annoyed too, he just wants to be normal and be able to serve. I respect him for that actually and I never thought I'd say that about a royal.

[LargeAndInCharge]

His the one royal that i respect too!

he wants to fight for his country but then there is a big risk as he will be a 'target' as such but as i said they wouldnt even no that he waas out there.

Even my Brother didnt no he waas out there

[Dan_]

Well it's obviously the right decision to bring him back as he'd be a major target but it's pretty annoying at those in the media who decided to leak the story.

He obviously just wants to do his service to the country.

[LargeAndInCharge]

i agree with u dan.

his done 10 weeks and his still young so his got a lot of time to fight for his country.

[Dr43%er]

Do you think he was in any real danger where he was posted? Front line my ass. Sat there being interviewed in the open without a helmet or other protective clothing. If that was the front line he would have been shot like any other soldier would have been.

[LargeAndInCharge]

not every place is a war zone.

where that group of sqaddies were is a quite zone or there camp

[Dr43%er]

So why is everyone kissing his ass.

"an exemplary soldier"

"I want to thank Prince Harry and all of our service personnel for their contribution and service."

"The whole of Britain will be proud of the outstanding service he is giving."

Gordon Brown.


"Harry has been incredibly brave."

"He has pursued his desire to get on the front line and serve his country with huge determination and courage."

David Cameron.


"He is a brave young man amongst many brave men and women who are putting life and limb on the line for the security of our country."

Dr Liam Fox.

Why single him out?

He was put in a safe area to protect him. He deserves no special treatment. I guess there are lots of soldier would liked to be pulled out due to the danger.

[Matt10k]

He wouldn't want to be singled out I don't think. Media as usual, spreading the horsesh*t around, just like they helped spread this damn story that got him pulled out in the 1st place.

I do think he is more at risk than other soldiers though, he could be targeted. He will have had a role, albeit shielded. They did say he was used to call in airstrikes. Whether it's true or just more media horsesh*t, none of us can really comment.

[Tom]

Dr Liam Fox speaks the most sense there. But I do think its brave that he has gone out and fought because a complete unknown wouldn't be as much of a target.

Yesterday, I think the leakage and newsflashes were absolutely pathetic. Harry went out there to do his job and he clearly wanted to do it low key for both his own safety and the safety of his colleagues. The media are stupid, especially the BBC and ITN. All of their bulletins yesterday had special features about him fighting. Did they not realise that they might as well have drawn a target on his back?

Now he has to come out 14 weeks early and someone else will have to take his place. Its not fair on any of them. Why couldn't they have just waited until his 6 months were up then done all of the special reports?

[Shaun]

The people who leaked this story should be ashamed of themselves. Endangering the lives of Harry and the team of soldiers he was with, for a few minutes worth of exciting news, is absolutely deplorable.

[Spike]

I think he should have been kept out there, but I can understand why he has been withdrawn

I really like Harry, he is my favourite royal hate the rest

[Tom4784]

I think it's probably for the best that he has been withdrawn, He would be a huge target and would definately endanger other people. It's a shame, The newspaper that leaked this disgusts me, risking people's lives like that.

[Spike]

Yeah the people who have leaked it could have put peoples live in danger which is really bad, I think its for the best that he was withdrawn.

[Dr43%er]

If they were in a dangerous area they would have been shot at anyway. Harry or no Harry.

[GiRTh]

I'm surprised he went in the first place. Not only is he in danger, but his whole platoon would become targets.

[Sunny_01]

I was against him going under a flurry of media interest. I dont see why as a trained soldier he couldnt go without people knowing. I think irresponsible reporting from our so called alias has again put a troup of soldiers in more trouble than they need be. As an unknown out there he was no more of a target than anyone else. I feel sorry for him but at least he got to do what he wanted to for 10 weeks without people knowing.

[bananarama]

There are guys out there who will only get a couple of minutes news time after they have been killed.

I am pig sick of the media going on and on and on over a little boy who wants to play war games....Even if it risks those serving with him.

He keeps saying he wants to be an ordinary guy. Thats easy give up the Royal status and go and get a job as a train driver or something ordinary guys do...

The Royals like all this fuss and bother on the news hour after hour after hour is a wast of time and space and energy.....

[alan_powers]

This has to be the biggest Propaganda stunt for the Royal Family in the probably the past decade.