According to the Mirror, the Met are in the midst of a “staffing crisis” and are deeply concerned on their ability to protect the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Officials inside the force have revealed that they are worried about whether they will be able to provide the security needed when the couple go on their trips across the world. One former protection officer said: “This is adding to the Met’s woes.”
Following news of their eye-watering security bill, a huge row erupted over who should actually pay it.
Ex- Met protection officer Dai Davies said: “In their current state the plans are unworkable.
“Harry and Meghan’s situation has called for a complete ripping up of the rulebook and they are acting like none of the rules apply to them.
“There is already a severe lack of trained officers and this is only adding to the Met’s woes.”
Reports say that initial predictions that the security bill will be around £3m-a-year were “woefully inadequate”.
A source added: “The average salary of a protection officer is in excess of £106,000 and, on current standing, Harry and Meghan need at least 12 if not more split over several teams.
“Travel, accommodation bills and overtime payments are set to explode, with residences in multiple countries.
“Training for extra officers plus potential relocation payments to some who may be permanently based abroad has led to a complete reworking of the situation.
“The Met have been told to deliver the calculations before the Government makes its decision, but both parties are perturbed, with the situation exploding past £10million annually to easily reach £20million.”
The row is the latest in an ever deepening crisis for Meghan and Harry, whose Royal Family exit has sparked outrage and bitter divisions with Buckingham Palace.
Last week, the Queen banned Prince Harry and Meghan from using the word ‘royal’ in any of their future commercial endeavours.
Labour MP Stephen Doughty said: “I support the freedom of Harry and Meghan to choose a more private life, but serious questions must now be asked about who is going to foot this ballooning security bill… particularly when they plan to travel for personal or commercial reasons.
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“It cannot be right that at a time when communities across the UK are calling out for more police to tackle serious crime and violence that further pressure is being placed on them.”
Lib Dem Home Affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine added: “Given they have made the choice, it is reasonable for the Sussexes to contribute to the cost of their security abroad rather than put the whole bill on the UK taxpayer.”
Former Labour MP Emma Dent Coad said: “Why must we pay this vast sum to protect these soon-to-be non-royals to jet-set around the world as they play at being philanthropists?
“They are both multi-millionaires. They won’t starve.”
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