Prince Harry will NOT serve in Iraq.

[Kardan]

Prince Harry will not be sent to Iraq, the head of the British army has said.
General Sir Richard Dannatt said the prince's deployment would pose an "unacceptable" threat to him and the men who served alongside him.

It had been reported that militant groups had planned to kill or kidnap the young royal.

Clarence House said Prince Harry was "very disappointed" but will not be leaving the Army as a result.

'Extremely disappointed'

The move represents a U-turn by the MoD, which said as recently as last month that the prince would be heading to Iraq as an armed reconnaissance officer in the Blues and Royals regiment.

The general said he had reached his decision following a visit to the region at the end of last week.

"There have been a number of specific threats, some reported some not reported, which relate directly to Prince Harry as an individual.

"These threats expose not only him but also those around him to a degree of risk that I now deem unacceptable."

General Dannatt said he knew Prince Harry would be extremely disappointed and that his soldiers would miss his presence in Iraq.

Harry would have been deployed with his regiment to Basra

He said had proved himself as an officer of "determination and undoubted talent - and I do not say that lightly".

The army chief did not rule out deploying the 22-year-old prince to the region in the future and paid tribute to all British service personnel deployed around the world.

But Reg Keys - whose son Thomas was killed while on active service in Basra in 2003 - said he found the decision distasteful and questioned whether insurgents could have told the prince apart from other service personnel.

Mr Keys added: "It would appear that Harry's life is more valuable than my son or the other nearly 150 service personnel who've given their lives."

'Extreme reluctance'

A Clarence House statement said: "Prince Harry is very disappointed that he will not be able to go to Iraq with his troop on this deployment as he had hoped.

"He fully understands and accepts General Dannatt's difficult decision and remains committed to his Army career.

"Prince Harry's thoughts are with his troop and the rest of the battle group in Iraq."

Asked if Harry would quit the Army as a result, a spokesman replied: "Absolutely not."

The former British army commander, Colonel Bob Stewart, told BBC News 24 the decision would have been taken very reluctantly.

He said: "The Chief of the General Staff has actually made such a decision with extreme reluctance; I know that, he's a personal friend and I know exactly the way he's feeling."

Harry would have been the first British royal to see action since his uncle, Prince Andrew, served as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands conflict in 1982.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "It's an operational decision taken by the military which we of course respect."

But former Conservative Defence Secretary Michael Portillo criticised the MoD for "terrible vacillation" over the issue, and Tory MP Desmond Swayne - a former Territorial Army officer in Iraq - said the decision was a victory for Iraqi insurgents

Thoughts?

[dramatic]

Although he would be targeted and the people around him would suffer to, what about the other soliders out there?

[RedStratocas]

Although he would be targeted and the people around him would suffer to, what about the other soliders out there?

What about them? It wouldnt affect anyone who isn't involved with him whether he's there or not.

While it's a brave thing for him to do, I do think the right choice was made. Its about the other soldiers.

[FlyingJesus]

It was a lose-lose situation really; either put the Prince and those around him in danger, or risk looking cowardly. To be honest, in light of the threats that have been received (and this is just taking into account those that were reported on) I think it's probably best that he doesn't go. It's a shame because he really is a good guy I think and he wanted to go for his country, but when there are personal risks like this I think the outcome decided is best.

[PenguinFluid]

The Prince is just a *** if he didnt go because everyone else has togo. Do something for our country fgs /rant

[:Hazel]

Would have been too risky to send him really.

[Kanakai-D]

The thing is..
What is the bloody point of joining the army?
That maybe one day you would serve your country.
Harry must have expected to join the wars.
Royal or not tbh

[Roboevil]

He's third in line to the throne, it'd be catastrophical if something were to happen to him- it's not like he has an heir either. It would definately be too risky for him to go.

[Kanakai-D]

Yuh it would be risky..
So why is he in the army if he'll never fight in wars??

[Roboevil]

Yuh it would be risky..
So why is he in the army if he'll never fight in wars??

He can fight when he has an heir.