Princely sum
IS it vanity or stupidity that drives Prince Harry to continue his legal fight to have armed guards should he visit the UK?
Whichever it is, it is costing the Government — and that means taxpayers — a small fortune in legal fees.
Out of choice Harry is no longer a working royal and the Met Police are not out to hire for every foreign-based prince or politician
The fact is that he and his family would receive armed protection in any case when attending official events and when staying on royal premises.
Whatever security guards he employs for private trips, of course, would not be allowed to carry weapons.
But that is his problem because, out of choice, he is no longer a working royal and the Met Police armed guards are not for hire to every visiting foreign-based prince or politician who fancies they might be a bit vulnerable, however wealthy they may be.
It’s a pity Harry didn’t consider his security when he used his spiteful tell-all book to say how many Taliban he had killed in Afghanistan, thus painting a target on his own back and betraying his former military buddies.
The irony is that his court case may not be settled in time for the King’s coronation, should Harry decide to grace us with his presence then.
But perhaps he’s thinking more about a future promotional book tour and the protection he might need — and not just from the Royal Family.
Raving Vlad
AS more Russian forces mass on their borders, the war is far from over for the people of Ukraine.
But if Vladimir Putin is mad enough to mark the first anniversary of his murderous invasion this week with a fresh offensive, he can be sure it will be met with the same steely resolve and courage with which Ukrainians have faced every previous assault.
Putin can be sure that any fresh offensive will be marked with resolve and courage from Ukraine yet again
Putin thought his annexation of their country would be swift.
But it has been a year of humiliation for the tyrant and his overrated military, and a year when Volodymyr Zelensky and his people have shown immense fortitude and heroism.
They have had no greater friend than Britain, not just in terms of military aid but, as we tell today, in the way Brits have opened their homes and hearts to many thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
We stand with Ukraine still.
Todger dodger
Angela Rayner tied herself in knots over trans rapist Isla Bryson
IT’S bad enough that Keir Starmer can’t say what a woman is, but you might hope that his Labour deputy, being one, could.
Not so.
When quizzed, Angela Rayner tied herself in knots trying to explain why trans double rapist Isla Bryson should be regarded as a woman, but not be placed in a women’s jail.
She even insisted it doesn’t matter that “she” has a penis.
Half of the population might disagree.
