Harry withdrawn from Afghanistan

Prince Harry is to be withdrawn from Afghanistan after news broke of him serving there on the front line.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

Brigadier Patrick Marriott, a spokesman for the Army, earlier said the possibility that details of Prince Harry's deployment would be made public had always been in the minds of senior army figures.

"There's been an enormous amount of planning that's gone on into this, and the fact that this was going to break was always thought a possible outcome and so plans are there - and I think people can be reassured about that."

Sir Jock said the prince had been conducting himself "with professionalism" during his time out in Afghanistan.

"In serving his country with distinction in dangerous circumstances, he has shown the courage and determination that are the hallmarks of everyone in our armed forces, many of whom are operating under very challenging circumstances," Sir Jock said.

'Incredibly brave'

A member of the Household Cavalry, Prince Harry was based in a former madrassa along with a Gurkha regiment.

Work involved calling up allied air cover in support of ground forces and going out on foot patrols.

Conservative leader David Cameron said Prince Harry had been "incredibly brave".

"He has pursued his desire to get on the front line and serve his country with huge determination and courage. I applaud the British press for not breaking the story and risking his life and others around him."

The prince's deployment was subject to a news blackout deal struck between the MoD and newspapers and broadcasters in the UK and abroad.

It is understood that the news was first leaked in an Australian publication in January but only after it appeared on the influential US website, The Drudge Report, did the deal break down.

In exchange for not reporting the prince's deployment, some media organisations were granted access to the prince in Afghanistan for interviews and filming.

General Sir Richard Dannatt praised the UK media's "highly responsible attitude", but said he was disappointed that foreign websites had decided to run the story.

The prince's withdrawal is the second major blow to his army career.

Last year, a planned tour to Iraq had to be cancelled at the last minute because of a security risk.
BBC NEWS | UK | Harry withdrawn from Afghanistan

Much respect to the young prince.:thumbsup:

Have a good one!:jointsmile:

"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."

Lets fly all the troops back for their safety. Not just the rich and connected. :mad:

He wants to stay but they control him, how sad. He is a major target for the taliban though.

Cant believe the fucking media blew his shit. I feel bad for him. Nothing worse than knowing your boys are getting blasted while you are sitting in an airconditioned office

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zimzum

"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."

Lets fly all the troops back for their safety. Not just the rich and connected. :mad:

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That statement is so wrong, he wants to stay but because some incredibly smart people doing leaps and bounds for the portrayal of their nations global stupidity leaked it he now has to leave due to the safety of the unit around him.

I feel sorry for him, he'd finally found a place where he can live a normal life and now he has to come back home and get constantly reminded about his mothers death.

Poor Harry...he was a "bullet magnet" there.

He's tough, he's mean, his gran's the effin queen.

I have a lot of respect for Prince Harry, for following his ideals and standing up for what he believes in. Just going to Afghanistan under his own volition is admirable, regardless of when he had to return home. This shouldn't be spun to shine a negative light on him, because this wasn't supposed to be such a media attraction. If it were, it'd make you wonder why Bush didn't stage a similar publicity stunt and send his daughters to the front lines... wouldn't it?

Either way, I hope Harry leads a long and responsible life. He's got the potential to sway a lot of minds and become a great man.

It was very irresponsible of these news websites to release this information and put him and his unit in greater danger than they already were.