Prince Harry loses bid for second High Court challenge over UK security

The Duke of Sussex’s attempt to file a second court complaint against the Home Office over his safety while in the UK was unsuccessful.

Harry requested authorization before filing a High Court appeal against the ruling that he shouldn’t be permitted to pay for his protected guards privately.

Harry’s legal team requested permission from the court earlier this month to move forward with a claim regarding decisions made by the Home Office and the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec), which is under the department’s purview, in December 2021 and February 2022.

In response to Harry’s assertion, the Home Office stated that, in Ravec’s opinion, it is “not appropriate” for affluent individuals to “buy” protective security, which may include armed officers, when it has determined that “the public interest does not warrant” someone obtaining such protection on a publicly-funded basis.

Ravec was “reasonable” in concluding that “it is wrong for a policing body to place officers in harm’s way upon payment of a fee by a private individual,” according to attorneys representing the Met Police, a party with an interest in the case.

Mr. Justice Chamberlain denied Harry’s request for permission to file the second challenge in a decision on Tuesday, rejecting it for a number of reasons.

Harry’s most recent legal challenge was connected to a previous claim he made against the Home Office after being informed he would no longer receive the “same degree” of personal protective security when visiting the UK, the court was informed during the earlier hearing.

Harry was given permission to proceed with the case last summer; however, a complete hearing has not yet taken place. the challenge likewise concentrates on Ravec’s decision-making.

The duke is launching a challenged claim against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) in the High Court trial currently underway, where he is alleging improper information collecting.

Harry is also anticipating decisions regarding the viability of related legal actions against publishers Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) and News Group Newspapers (NGN).

The duke’s libel lawsuit against ANL, publisher of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday, following an article about his case against the Home Office, is also anticipated to result in a ruling.