The BBC has admitted to a lapse in “our usual high editorial standards” over a Duke of Sussex interview.
Richard Aitch, a former close protection officer, told the Today programme the decision to downgrade the Duke’s security arrangements was a “good old-fashioned stitch up”, calling it “retributive justice for Megxit” and an act of “spite” from the Royal Household.
Mr Aitch made his comments on Radio 4’s flagship news programme after the Duke lost a Court of Appeal legal challenge.
He agreed with the Duke’s assessment that the court defeat was “a good old-fashioned Establishment stitch-up”. Dharshini David, the presenter of Saturday’s edition, failed to challenge Mr Aitch’s views.
The decision to downgrade the Duke’s security was an act of ‘spite’ from the Royal Household, an interviewee told the Today programme – Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph
In a statement on the corrections and clarifications section of its website, the BBC said: “The programme covered the latest developments in the story of Prince Harry and his legal case around protection for him and his family in the UK, and interviewed former close protection officer Richard Aitch to get a broader understanding of security considerations.
“Claims were repeated that the process had been ‘an Establishment stitch-up’ and we failed to properly challenge this and other allegations.
“This case is ultimately the responsibility of the Home Office and we should have reflected their statement.” The Home Office had described the Government’s protective security system as “rigorous and proportionate”.
The BBC acknowledged that it should also have given the view of Buckingham Palace, which had previously stated: “All of these issues have been examined repeatedly and meticulously by the courts, with the same conclusion reached on each occasion.”
The corporation said: “This was a lapse in our usual high editorial standards.”
‘Spite from the Royal Household’
Mr Aitch, who now works in private protection, said the Duke was right to feel aggrieved at his reduced security arrangements.
“I think Prince Harry has nailed it… it is an Establishment stitch-up. It’s clear that the entire process had been caught up in emotion and appears to be nothing other than spite from the Royal Household.
“It’s retributive justice for Megxit, not any balanced, formalised approach to assessment of threats and risks,” he said.
“Threats against a person who has protection afforded to them due to their status within a specific family are not diminished when they leave the duties of that family. They will always remain a member of that family.”
Richard Aitch, a former close protection officer, said the Duke’s reduced security arrangements were ‘retributive justice for Megxit’ – Karwai Tang/WireImage
Posting on X after the BBC clarification, Mr Aitch said: “There should not be any need to apologise @BBCNews for opinion based interviews.
“Absence of a threat and risk assessment on Prince Harry where the focus is on legal process influenced by the recommendations of a committee that is not independent, it defines ‘stitch up’.”
Harry also claimed to BBC News that he can only come to the UK safely if he is invited, and the King could help resolve the situation not by intervening, but by “stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary”.
The Duke expressed hopes of a reconciliation with his family during the interview, which was conducted in California, and alleged that the King will not speak to him due to the security issue.