Harry's arrival in Iraq is delayed by security fears

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Gun patrol: Harry is said not to fear for his own safety

Prince Harry's arrival in Iraq has been postponed due to security fears over his posting.

The prince, who is third in line to the throne, is due to be flown out later than most of his squadron, the Daily Mail can reveal.

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Gun patrol: Harry is said not to fear for his own safety

Senior Blues and Royals officers are concerned that his presence during the initial handover between units will be too disruptive.

It will also give them time to put in place the measures needed to deal with having such a senior member of the Royal Family in a war zone.

Security sources said the fact that Harry and the troop of 11 soldiers he commands were being kept back was the strongest proof yet that both the Army and the Ministry of Defence continue to have serious concerns about his deployment despite an urgent review last week.

"The deployment of Harry's squadron is, by necessity, staggered but the fact that Harry and his men are being sent over at a later date shows just how much a strain his presence will have on the squadron," the source said.

"Everyone involved has sympathy for the prince but it is an increasingly difficult situation and one that is changing day by day."

The latest development in the longrunning row over Harry's deployment comes as the Prime Minister acknowledged it had been a "difficult month" for Britain's forces in the region.

Expressing condolences to the families of those killed in the latest violence, Tony Blair said: "This has been a difficult month for our forces in Iraq - and more so for their families.

"We send them our thoughts and prayers and sympathy at this time."

Twelve British soldiers have died in the region in the last month alone, including two on a desert patrol in a Scimitar armoured reconnaissance vehicle, exactly the job that Harry has been trained to do.

Last week it emerged that defence chiefs had ordered a review of the decision to send Harry to Iraq because of the rise in insurgent attacks.

They are also deeply concerned by a string of threats from extremist organ-keen to capture the 22-year-old prince.

One group has threatened to kidnap him and cut off his ears.

On Monday night, however, General Sir Richard Dannatt, the Chief of the General Staff, confirmed that he had decided to allow the prince to fight for his country - although he warned that this decision could be revoked.

But Harry will still travel out significantly later than the rest of his squadron, who are due to replace the Queen's Royal Lancers on a six-month tour of duty.

The prince - who will be given his own security detail - is said not to be worried about his own safety but only about that of his men.

He fears that his presence in Iraq could make those around him a target for insurgents. Clarence House sources say that Harry has come to terms with the fact that he may yet be taking off patrol and given a desk job if the situation escalates.

"He wants to go an serve his country in whatever way he can but is mature enough to know that this situation is bigger than just him,' said a senior aide.

Clarence House declined to comment, citing security concerns.

A spokesman for the MoD said; "We are not prepared to comment on individual deployments."

Senior U.S. military commanders have urged their British counterparts to push ahead with Prince Harry's deployment.

 

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