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Prince returning from Afghan tour Prince returning from Afghan tour
(30 minutes later)
Prince Harry is on his way back to the UK after a news leak led to him being withdrawn from a secret deployment to the front line in Afghanistan. Prince Harry is on his way back to the UK after a news leak led to him being withdrawn 10 weeks into a deployment to the front line in Afghanistan.
The 23-year-old, who had spent 10 weeks in Helmand Province, left on a flight from Afghanistan amid concerns he would be a Taleban target if he stayed. The 23-year-old left on a flight on Friday evening amid concerns he would be a Taleban target if he stayed.
His tour had been the subject of an agreed news blackout by some media, but news was broken by a foreign website.His tour had been the subject of an agreed news blackout by some media, but news was broken by a foreign website.
The prince is expected back in the UK later with other soldiers. Harry, who had said he was enjoying being away from England and the media, is expected back at an RAF base later.
In a statement on Friday, 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. Speaking before his withdrawal, the third-in-line to the throne said: "I don't want to sit around Windsor, because I generally don't like England that much and it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers."
'Don't like England' Air support
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, in consultation with the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, had taken the final decision to withdraw Harry immediately, it said. The Household Cavalry officer, who was secretly sent to Afghanistan in December, is with other soldiers returning home on a troop transport plane after an emergency withdrawal ordered by defence chiefs.
"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," the statement added.
Prince Harry, in an interview recorded in Afghanistan prior to his withdrawal, said he had enjoyed being away from the press and England.
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
"I don't want to sit around Windsor, because I generally don't like England that much and it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers...," he said. He was picked up from manoeuvres on Friday and flown to a Nato base to join his flight home.
A member of the Household Cavalry, Prince Harry had been based in a former madrassa along with a Gurkha regiment. Earlier on Friday, 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.
Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, in consultation with the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, had taken the final decision to withdraw Harry immediately, it said in a statement.
"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.".
Prince Harry had been 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.
Queen's praiseQueen's praise
The Queen, opening the Queen's Court Care Home in Windsor on Friday, said she believed her grandson had done "a good job in a very difficult climate".The Queen, opening the Queen's Court Care Home in Windsor on Friday, said she believed her grandson 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 fears about his and his colleagues' security.Last year, a planned tour to Iraq had to be cancelled at the last minute because of fears about his and his colleagues' security.