Harry revealing his Taliban kill count 'could create security risks for ... trends now
A Tory MP has suggested that Prince Harry's claim that he killed 25 members of the Taliban while serving in Afghanistan could pose security risks for the Invictus Games.
The Duke of Sussex, who was known as 'Captain Wales' in the military, wrote in his tell-all memoir Spare that he did not think of those he killed 'as people' but instead 'chess pieces' he had taken off the board.
This morning Tobias Ellwood, a senior backbencher and chairman of the Commons Defence Committee said the revelation in Harry's memoir was 'ill-advised'.
Speaking about the Invictus Games, a sporting event created by the Prince for injured, sick and wounded soldiers, he told Sky News: 'I do worry that this is going to have security implications.'
Harry revealed he killed 25 Taliban fighters on his tours in Afghanistan in his book, which will go on sale in the UK on Tuesday
Tobias Ellwood, a senior backbencher and chairman of the Commons Defence Committee said the revelation in Harry's memoir was 'ill-advised' and warned there may be 'security implications' at the Invictus Games
The MP, who also served with the British Army, said: 'One of the rare occasions that I worked with Prince Harry was in the Invictus Games in Sydney and in Toronto and so forth.
'Incredible effort. This was his design, this was his creation.
'And I'm now concerned that something which has been so important to veterans to help rehabilitation will now suffer because there could be security implications of him participating in that.'
It comes as Rusty Firmin, a SAS hero from the Iranian Embassy siege, warned that Prince Harry's claims has massively increased the threat for his own family and other key royals.
Rusty Fermin pictured here kneeling next to Prince Charles and Princess Diana while serving in the SAS
Mr Ellwood said his claim could risk the security of the Invictus Games. Pictured: Prince Harry congratulating a Team UK medal winner at the Invictus Gams in the Hague, Netherlands, in April
It is a threat that will not go away - and it's a feeling shared by many, including a former British Commander in Afghanistan, Colonel Richard Kemp.
War veterans and defence experts have warned Prince Harry now faces a life of looking over his shoulder, and has even increased the risk to his family.
Mr Firmin openly questioned the 'kill count' revealed by Harry in his memoir, Spare. The Duke of Sussex, who piloted an Apache helicopter in Afghanistan, likened the Taliban targets to chess pieces on a board.
'From what I've been told, he was a gunner, not a pilot,' said Rusty. 'Either way, I don't know how he's positively counted 25.
'I find it hard to believe an Apache crew member can provide exact numbers. I find that bizarre, I'm sceptical.
'He's used a lot of jargon about serving in the forces, yet I've heard no one referring to human lives as chess pieces. To them, Prince Harry was the enemy. To us, they were the enemy. You have to respect that.'
Rusty, a celebrated member of the Who Dares Wins regiment for 15 years, fears extremists are now plotting to make Harry pay for his words. He is certain of it.
The 72-year-old said yesterday: 'I would not like to be in his shoes.
'He has shot himself in the foot and I just hope that is the worst that comes out of it.'
Rusty, now a successful author, was famously part of the crack SAS team who stormed South Kensington's Iranian Embassy after six armed terrorists seized the building in 1980.
In 1983, he rushed to Princess Diana's rescue when she and Charles secretly took part in an anti-terrorist and kidnap drill at the SAS's Herefordshire HQ.
Harry said in Spare that he did not think of his targets as humans, rather chess pieces on a board
Rusty, a celebrated member of the Who Dares Wins regiment for 15 years, fears extremists are now plotting to make Harry pay for his words
Rusty leapt into action after a stray pellet from a stun
