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Harry will not quit, say friends Harry will not quit, say friends
(about 7 hours later)
Friends of Prince Harry have denied reports that he will quit the Army if he is not allowed to serve in Iraq.Friends of Prince Harry have denied reports that he will quit the Army if he is not allowed to serve in Iraq.
But they admitted he would be "very disappointed" to miss out, the BBC's royal correspondent has been told.But they admitted he would be "very disappointed" to miss out, the BBC's royal correspondent has been told.
The Ministry of Defence is reviewing Harry's deployment after 11 UK troops were killed this month, one of the bloodiest since the conflict began.The Ministry of Defence is reviewing Harry's deployment after 11 UK troops were killed this month, one of the bloodiest since the conflict began.
Prime Minister Tony Blair has told reporters he would be "delighted" if his child wanted to serve in Iraq.Prime Minister Tony Blair has told reporters he would be "delighted" if his child wanted to serve in Iraq.
However, he also insisted Harry's future was "absolutely a matter for the military".However, he also insisted Harry's future was "absolutely a matter for the military".
The MoD said the matter had always been under "constant consideration", and the final say will lie with head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.The MoD said the matter had always been under "constant consideration", and the final say will lie with head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt.
But Sir John Nott, Conservative defence secretary during the Falklands War, told BBC News: "The danger is that Prince Harry will be hazarding the lives of other soldiers and young officers and I think that's not right." 'Murder target'
Michael Portillo, a former Conservative defence secretary, told BBC News that Harry should not go to Iraq.
"It's clear that he could be a target, either for murder or kidnapping and if that occurred it would be a disaster for Britain."
However security analyst Colonel Mike Dewar said that such arguments "flattered" the insurgents because they "wouldn't have the foggiest" about Harry's location.
He said: "Regiments don't wear regimental colours on their vehicles, there is no way, particular way, of telling which vehicle Prince Harry is in, or where he is."
And Colonel Bob Stewart, a former British commander with UN forces in Bosnia, told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight that it was important that Harry was treated as much as possible like an ordinary soldier.
"If he doesn't go, it'll not only be just deeply disappointing for him, but quite frankly it might well send him out of the Army," said Colonel Stewart.
Christina Scott, whose son is serving in the RAF, also said Harry should go to Iraq.
"It's part and parcel of the job so why should he be any different?" she asked.
Harry would struggle with any decision, on the grounds of safety, to change his role and perhaps put him behind a desk Peter HuntBBC Royal Correspondent Send us your reactionHarry would struggle with any decision, on the grounds of safety, to change his role and perhaps put him behind a desk Peter HuntBBC Royal Correspondent Send us your reaction
Harry, 22, is currently set to go to Iraq within weeks and has been taking part in preparation exercises.Harry, 22, is currently set to go to Iraq within weeks and has been taking part in preparation exercises.
An MoD spokeswoman said: "It is still our intent that Prince Harry will deploy as a troop leader."An MoD spokeswoman said: "It is still our intent that Prince Harry will deploy as a troop leader."
Clarence House refused to comment.Clarence House refused to comment.
'Normal role''Normal role'
As an officer, Harry would be in charge of 11 soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work using armoured fighting vehicles.As an officer, Harry would be in charge of 11 soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work using armoured fighting vehicles.
FATALITIES IN APRIL 23 April Kingsman Alan Jones 19 April Corporal Ben Leaning, Trooper Kristen Turton15 April Colour Sergeant Mark Powell, RAF Sergeant Mark McLaren5 April Second Lieutenant Joanna Yorke Dyer, Corporal Kris O'Neill, Private Eleanor Dlugosz, Kingsman Adam James Smith2 April Rifleman Aaron Lincoln1 April Kingsman Danny Wilson Full list of fatalities in IraqFATALITIES IN APRIL 23 April Kingsman Alan Jones 19 April Corporal Ben Leaning, Trooper Kristen Turton15 April Colour Sergeant Mark Powell, RAF Sergeant Mark McLaren5 April Second Lieutenant Joanna Yorke Dyer, Corporal Kris O'Neill, Private Eleanor Dlugosz, Kingsman Adam James Smith2 April Rifleman Aaron Lincoln1 April Kingsman Danny Wilson Full list of fatalities in Iraq
In February, Clarence House and the MoD confirmed the prince would be deployed to Iraq, saying he would take on a "normal troop commander's role" rather than a desk job.In February, Clarence House and the MoD confirmed the prince would be deployed to Iraq, saying he would take on a "normal troop commander's role" rather than a desk job.
But last week, two British soldiers died doing the same job Prince Harry would be expected to do during his six-month tour.But last week, two British soldiers died doing the same job Prince Harry would be expected to do during his six-month tour.
And earlier this month a Challenger tank was seriously damaged in an attack by Iraqi insurgents.And earlier this month a Challenger tank was seriously damaged in an attack by Iraqi insurgents.
'More fraught'
The BBC's Peter Hunt said Harry had always insisted he should not be treated differently because of his status.The BBC's Peter Hunt said Harry had always insisted he should not be treated differently because of his status.
"Harry would struggle with any decision, on the grounds of safety, to change his role and perhaps put him behind a desk in Basra," he said."Harry would struggle with any decision, on the grounds of safety, to change his role and perhaps put him behind a desk in Basra," he said.
BBC defence correspondent Paul Wood said a "truly dreadful" month for British troops in Iraq had made plans for Prince Harry less certain.
"The problem is, it's not just a matter of one young, very brave, very honourable second lieutenant going to do the job they were trained to do."
'More fraught'
He added that there were concerns Harry could be kidnapped or become a "bomb magnet".
The deployment would make the prince the first royal to undertake a tour of duty in a war zone since the Duke of York served in the Falklands conflict in 1982.The deployment would make the prince the first royal to undertake a tour of duty in a war zone since the Duke of York served in the Falklands conflict in 1982.
Sir John said the issue of Harry's deployment was different from his uncle's because the war in Iraq was "much more fraught" and did not have "complete public support". Sir John Nott, Conservative defence secretary during the Falklands War, said the issue of Harry's deployment was different from his uncle's because the war in Iraq was "much more fraught" and did not have "complete public support".
"It raises political and constitutional issues. The situation in Iraq is clearly extremely difficult, particularly with armoured cars."