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Harry withdrawn from Afghanistan Harry withdrawn from Afghanistan
(about 3 hours later)
Prince Harry is to be withdrawn from Afghanistan after news of his secret deployment leaked out.Prince Harry is to be withdrawn from Afghanistan after news of his secret deployment leaked out.
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 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 over his tour of duty, which was broken by foreign media.The move follows the collapse of a news blackout deal over his tour of duty, which was broken by foreign media.
There had been fears the prince, who is third in line to the throne, could become a target for the Taleban.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 said that contingency plans for such a leak were in place.In a statement, the Ministry of Defence described the reporting of Harry's deployment by foreign media as "regrettable" but said that contingency plans for such a leak were in place.
More recently he took part in a major operation to disrupt Taleban lines of communication Brigadier Andrew Mackay
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".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".
Brigadier Andrew Mackay, Commander of Task Force Helmand, said Harry had been "deployed in the field, conducting operations against the Taleban" at the time of the decision.
He continued: "He has seen service both in the south of Helmand and in the north. More recently he took part in a major operation to disrupt Taleban lines of communication."
'Risks''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.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."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.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the prince and said Britain owed him a "debt of gratitude" for his service in Afghanistan, but he added that it was correct to bring Harry back to the UK.Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to the prince and said Britain owed him a "debt of gratitude" for his service in Afghanistan, but he added that it was correct to bring Harry back to the UK.
HAVE YOUR SAYPrince Harry is a trained soldier. I'm in the service too and I'm pleased for him that he was allowed to goDeborah, Hampshire, UKSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYPrince Harry is a trained soldier. I'm in the service too and I'm pleased for him that he was allowed to goDeborah, Hampshire, UKSend us your comments
"Security considerations come first. That has been the deciding factor which was made by our defence staff and I think that everybody will respect that is the right decision.""Security considerations come first. That has been the deciding factor which was made by our defence staff and I think that everybody will respect that is the right decision."
He thanked Harry, a second lieutenant, for the "professionalism and dedication he has shown", and said the decision to bring him home was a reminder of the "difficulties and challenges" the armed forces faced on active duty.He thanked Harry, a second lieutenant, for the "professionalism and dedication he has shown", and said the decision to bring him home was a reminder of the "difficulties and challenges" the armed forces faced on active duty.
Conservative leader David Cameron agreed that it was "right" to withdraw the prince from Afghanistan, but said everyone in Britain should be "proud of what he has done".Conservative leader David Cameron agreed that it was "right" to withdraw the prince from Afghanistan, but said everyone in Britain should be "proud of what he has done".
"It's incredibly tough out there. He's obviously shown great courage and bravery as all our soldiers do out there."It's incredibly tough out there. He's obviously shown great courage and bravery as all our soldiers do out there.
"And what they do is really important, not just for the future of Afghanistan but for the safety of our country too.""And what they do is really important, not just for the future of Afghanistan but for the safety of our country too."
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."
'Dangerous tasks''Dangerous tasks'
A member of the Household Cavalry, Prince Harry was based in a former madrassa along with a Gurkha regiment.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.Work involved calling up allied air cover in support of ground forces and going out on foot patrols.
Defence Secretary Des Browne also commended Harry, saying the prince was "an example of a generation of young people" who were "prepared to take on these very serious and dangerous tasks for our security".Defence Secretary Des Browne also commended Harry, saying the prince was "an example of a generation of young people" who were "prepared to take on these very serious and dangerous tasks for our security".
The Queen, opening the Queen's Court Care Home in Windsor, said she believed he had done "a good job in a very difficult climate".The Queen, opening the Queen's Court Care Home in Windsor, said she believed he had done "a good job in a very difficult climate".
THE EDITORS' BLOG A news black-out is unusual, but not unique Jon Williams,World news editor, BBC News Jon's comments in fullTHE EDITORS' BLOG A news black-out is unusual, but not unique Jon Williams,World news editor, BBC News Jon's comments in full
The prince's deployment was subject to a news blackout deal struck between the MoD and newspapers and broadcasters in the UK and abroad.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.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.In exchange for not reporting the prince's deployment, some media organisations were granted access to the prince in Afghanistan for interviews and filming.
The prince's withdrawal is the second major blow to his army career.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.Last year, a planned tour to Iraq had to be cancelled at the last minute because of a security risk.