Prince Harry pulled out of Helmand Province
Prince Harry is to be withdrawn from Afghanistan after news broke of him serving there on the front line, the Ministry of Defence has announced. 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 safetyand the additional risk posed to his collegues. The M.o.D has been forced to take the action following the breakdown of a news blackout deal agreed in the UK, as foreign media leaked the story. Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, had been considering whether Harry should remain in the country after discussions with the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt. 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, adding I think it's important that, throughout this whole process, risks have been managed incredibly well,". The Brigadier continued saying "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." Sir Jock said the prince had been conducting himself "with professionalism" during his time out in Afghanistan.
"In serving his country with distinction in dangerous circumstances, he has shown the courage and determination that are the hallmarks of everyone in our armed forces, many of whom are operating under very challenging circumstances," Sir Jock said.
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.
His deployment there was subject to a news blackout deal struck to preserve his safety.
Conservative leader David Cameron said Prince Harry had been "incredibly brave".
"He has pursued his desire to get on the front line and serve his country with huge determination and courage. I applaud the British press for not breaking the story and risking his life and others around him."
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