Should Prince Andrew Get His Taxpayer-Funded Security Back?

Summary:

• Prince Andrew seeks to regain taxpayer-funded security after losing it due to his civil sex assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre.
• Former Home Secretary Priti Patel's suggestion of a security review for Prince Andrew sparks debate.
• Duncan Larkham argues for reinstating security due to Andrew's royal status and potential security risks.
• Ava Santina questions the appropriateness of taxpayers bearing the cost and compares Andrew's situation to that of other public figures.
• The discussion delves into the royal family's modernization efforts, financial strains, and public sentiment regarding security funding.
• The segment concludes with varying opinions on whether Andrew and Prince Harry should receive taxpayer-funded security.

Should Prince Andrew get back his three million a year taxpayer-funded security? The disgraced Duke has reportedly launched a bid to get his bodyguards back after he was stripped of his protection following his civil sex assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre. The former Home Secretary, Priti Patel, has apologised to King Charles for causing embarrassment after suggesting a review of Prince Andrew's security. But is she right? Should taxpayers be footing the bill for Prince Andrew's security? We're now joined by politics correspondent for politics.joeva Santina and former Royal Editor of the Sun, Duncan Larkham. Good morning to you both.

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Duncan Larkham's Perspective

Duncan, let's start with you, because it's an awful lot of money, isn't it? We know that he's not a working royal anymore. Why do you think then he has a case for this security being reinstated? Well, I think it's a very unpopular argument. I'm going to try and make. But he's a member of the royal family. He didn't choose to be a royal. He was born into that. He's the brother of the serving King of England. And unfortunately, with that, comes a tremendous security risk. Kidnappers, anyone out there that might want to do him harm. And I think much as we might be almost revolted by Prince Harry. Prince Andrew, sorry. I think that even if we are revolted by him, you can't just leave a senior member of the royal family to fend for themselves.

Cost and Royal Family's Role

But couldn't the cost be borne by the royal family, by him himself? Why do you think there's a case here for the tax pay fitting the £3 million bill? There's the rub, isn't it? I mean, people are not going to want to be paying their taxes towards that. But, you know, the royal family are in. They're an institution. They're a public institution. And Prince Andrew, whether we like it or not, is still a part of it. He's still a threat, Ava, isn't he?

Ava Santina's Perspective

Well, I mean, is he a threat because he was born into the royal family or is he a threat because, you know, or a target because of the company that he chose to keep? I mean, you know, we're all still intensely fascinated by that ridiculous interview he gave to the BBC in 2019. Yeah, you know, he's absolutely disgraced. And, you know, at the moment, his security is paid for by King Charles. I don't see why that cost should go across to the taxpayer or go across to the Met Police.

Tourism and Image

I mean, if you think about the kind of service that most people can now expect from the Metropolitan Police in London, you know, there's a. One woman is killed every three days. You know, if I can't get protection, why should the disgrace Prince Andrew? Hmm, but I. But you. I mean, disgraced, yes, but not convicted of any crime at this point. But also not working, right? He's not a working royal and he's, you know, arguably the big reason why we have the royal family is because it brings in a lot of tourism.

Modernization and Royal Brand

That's the argument that's always put down. You know, over the past couple of years, this has been intensely embarrassing for the country. If you look at what went on in the States, I mean, over in America, our biggest influx of tourists come from there. And there was headline news for the best part of six months. What has that done to our economy and our tourism? Duncan, you know, the royal family has got a real.

Role of Security

If you look at the broader brand of the royal family, to modernise, to try and connect with the British public since the passing of Her Majesty, late Majesty, the Queen, I mean, this wouldn't be a good look, would it? If you've got a prince who's not working, you know, and the decision has been made, that has been made, if he's not to work, so there must be some reason for that, he is disgraced with the companies kept at the very least.

Security Precedents

You know, it's not a good look, is it? If we're trying to modernise the royal family and saying, well, actually, we're going to pay for this guy's security. Yes, I mean, I'm not a huge advocate of the taxpayer having to foot the bill, but you've got to remember, I mean, in 1974, there was a very real and real attempt to kidnap Princess Anne.

Comparisons within Royal Family

We know what happened to Lord Mountbatten in Northern Ireland. The royal family are, unfortunately, in the crosshairs. But there's plenty of them that don't get security. You know, Zara Phillips doesn't get this kind of security. She's quite public, she's Target. I mean, Mike Tindall, I mean, he's quite a public guy, he has a lot of television work, he could easily be a threat. It doesn't get all that million-pound security.

Royal Hierarchy and Protection

Yes, but is Prince Andrew not the brother of the king? And I think he is. He was born much more senior member of the royal family than Zara Phillips was, or Mike Tindall, for that matter. Yeah, you don't have to give protection to the entire family, but I think you'd be surprised at what level of security there is around people like Zara Phillips. It just doesn't ever get talked about.

Comparing Prince Harry's Security

So, therefore, do you think that Prince Harry should get security? Because this early this year in May, he lost his bid to bring a legal challenge against the Home Office to pay for his security? Again, to make a very unpopular argument, I believe that when Prince Harry is in this country, he should absolutely begin. He's coming here in a couple of weeks' time, isn't he? Yeah, and he will have to bring his own security. I think he should be.

Public Sentiments and Financial Strain

I mean, he went to Afghanistan, he is a Target. Ava, what do you make of it? Because I think the thing is, you know, we're talking about energy prices, people will be thinking about their bills as well. There's a cost of living crisis, where people are really feeling it in their pocket. And when it comes to them thinking, well, hold on, we'll pay however many million for a member of the royal family to have security, when actually they're not performing their duty.

Celebrities vs. Royal Family

That's why they haven't been given it so far. Yeah, absolutely. And I mean, also, you know, I think a lot of people will look at him more as a celebrity rather than a part of the royal family. I mean, what does that even mean, a member of the royal family? Why is there any difference to, say, the Kardashians? Or say, you know. I mean, look back at Jade Goody when she left Big Brother, right?

Rethinking the Royal Family

She was probably one of the most targeted celebrities we'd ever seen in this country. OK, she couldn't leave her house. Should we, the taxpayer, have paid for her to be safe in her home in the same way that we are for Prince Andrew? I mean, where's the line going to stop? We can't afford to.

Reevaluation and Future of Royalty

Well, on that argument, the positive argument, should we be paying for their homes to live in? Yeah. Should we be paying. Are you an anti-royalist in that? Are you thinking, should we do away with the royal family altogether? Look, I think that perhaps it has had its time. I think, you know, since the Queen has left us, I think moving forward, yeah. I mean, I think we should reassess.

Public Opinion and Apology

It's a hell of a lot of money, and I don't think we can afford it. And just on Harry, what do you think about in the current situation? Do you think Harry should get his police protection security when he comes from us? Well, I think there's sort of a different target that's going after Prince Harry, isn't there?

Embarrassment and Security

There's kind of, you know, we've ramped up the argument to a point where it's extreme, and perhaps maybe we should look out for him with a couple of police officers. But I would say the same, you know, he's a celebrity, he's chose to go and live over in America, and that's your decision, so. I've got to ask, Doctor, what do you make of the fact that former Home Secretary Priti Patel has emailed King Charles' aid to suggest that they might consider a review?

Transparency and Public Perception

Because there's now. She's then had to apologise for the embarrassment caused by this coming out. I mean, what do you make of her involvement in taking this action? I think it would cause a few blushes, I think. It was the fact that it's got out into the public domain. Security is absolutely. It's not something they. They never even tell us what the bill for security for the Royal Family is every year. We don't.

Public Sentiments

We have no idea. As taxpayers, they don't tell us. It's a secret. So, I think anything that kind of lifts the lid on that is an embarrassment. A lot of people are getting in touch on this, by the way. I'd say that the vast majority are saying no, but Jan on email says Prince Andrew is a major part of our Royal Family.

Public Opinion and Comparisons

Yes, protect him without question, and Cyril says he should get protection as brother to the King end of, but lots and lots of people saying if Harry cannot have state-funded security in the UK, neither should Andrews. There's Steel on Twitter, Nicholas and Matthew as well, also agreeing with the same sentiments. It's pretty overwhelming there from people watching this morning.

Conclusion

And Ava as well. Yeah. Thanks very much. Thanks very much to both of you.

Good Morning Britain, Ava and Duncan share differing views on whether Prince Andrew should have his taxpayer-funded security reinstated.