Browne happy with Harry decision

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Defence Secretary Des Browne has said he is satisfied with the decision to send Prince Harry to serve in Iraq.

There have been fears for the safety of the prince and his soldiers when he deploys with the Blues and Royals.

Mr Browne said he was happy that those who decided to send the prince to Iraq "were qualified to make the decision".

The head of the British army, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, said he had taken the decision personally but stressed it would be kept under review.

'Frenzied speculation'

Mr Browne told BBC News: "I'm happy that the people who were qualified to make the decision have made the decision and that they have carried out an assessment of the risk properly.

The people who had the skills to do it made that decision, and that's entirely as it should be Des BrowneDefence Secretary

"Speculation about the circumstances and the analysis of that risk actually is in danger of putting at risk those people whom we presently have deployed in southern Iraq."

He added: "The people who had the skills to do it made that decision, and that's entirely as it should be, and that's the case with everybody who is deployed into operational theatres."

Gen Dannatt has confirmed that Prince Harry will be sent Iraq and called for an end to the "somewhat frenzied media speculation" about the decision.

He said: "The decision has been taken that he will deploy. I will of course keep that decision continually under review, and if circumstances are such that I change that decision, I will make a further statement."

Reconnaissance work

In February, Clarence House and the MoD confirmed the prince would be sent to Iraq and that he would take on a "normal troop commander's role" rather than a desk job.

The prince has stated that he wants to be involved in active service.

However, concerns have grown after 12 British troops were killed in Iraq last month, which makes it one of the bloodiest of the campaign.

The 22-year-old prince, who has taken part in preparation exercises, would command 11 soldiers carrying out reconnaissance work using four armoured Scimitar vehicles, each with a crew of three.

He would be the first royal to undertake a tour of duty in a war zone since the Duke of York served in the Falklands in 1982.