MoD: Harry coming home

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the widespread assumption that Prince Harry will be pulled out of Afghanistan after news of his deployment was leaked.

Although the prince had been due to return in a couple of weeks, he will now leave Helmand province immediately.

Prince Harry has served ten weeks' active duty alongside British troops fighting against the Taliban, with his presence going unreported thanks to an agreement between UK editors.

The MoD admitted it had expected the story to break and, following the embargo-break yesterday, immediately launched into contingency plans.

In a statement, the MoD said: "The decision by elements of the foreign media to report Prince Harry’s presence in Afghanistan without any consultation with the Ministry of Defence is regrettable.

"However, this was a circumstance that we have always been aware of and one for which we have had contingency plans in place. Whilst it had been intended that Prince Harry should return in a matter of weeks with the remainder of the Household Cavalry Regiment Battlegroup, the situation has now clearly changed."

It continued: "Following a detailed assessment of the risks by the operational chain of command, the decision has been taken by Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of Defence Staff, in consultation with General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff, to withdraw Prince Harry from Afghanistan immediately.

"This decision has been taken primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual soldier."

It remains unclear whether Prince Harry will ever be able to serve on active duty. A previous attempt to deploy him to Iraq was abandoned after widespread media reports.