Galloway: Blackout was state suppression

The media silence on Prince Harry's deployment to Afghanistan amounted to collusion with the state to suppress and manipulate the news, George Galloway has argued.

The left-wing MP questioned what this would do to the reputation of British correspondents abroad, as well as the risk it may cause to their safety.

Writing for the Guardian's Comment is Free section, Mr Galloway argued the entire exercise has been a massive PR boost for the military and Royals, with pictures of Prince Harry in a Nazi uniform replaced with the image of a young warrior.

Mr Galloway said: "All sections of the establishment have gained from this superbly well-executed piece of theatre (incidentally, I'm not doubting Harry's personal bravery, it's just that that is not the issue): the army has a star; the BBC and Fleet Street appear to have a heart; and the royal family have a newfound source of capital at just the time that the circus that is the Diana inquest heaps more and more ordure in their direction."

He also pointed out the media had demanded extensive coverage at the end of Prince Harry's tour of duty in return for silence.

It is now known that a select group of journalists were sent to interview the prince in Afghanistan, where he has been secretly serving for the past ten weeks.