Harry faces security lapse
2005-08-14 13:32
London - Britain's ministry of Defence on Sunday ordered an investigation into security at Prince Harry's military academy, after a newspaper reported that one of its journalists was hired despite lying on his job application.
If confirmed, it would be the second security breach at the army's prestigious Sandhurst officers' academy in the past two months.
"We take security at Sandhurst extremely seriously and will investigate these allegations," a defence ministry spokesperson, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The News of the World newspaper reported that its reporter was hired and given an "access all areas" security pass despite providing a false job history and false recommendations. In June, the Sun newspaper reported that one of its journalists posed as a student to get permission to use the library and allegedly filmed the prince at the school in Surrey, southern England, where Prince Charles' younger son is an officer cadet.
That earlier breach sparked serious criticism from Defense Secretary John Reid, and demands for stronger security at Sandhurst.
The News of the World reported on Sunday that its reporter was hired for a maintenance job, despite having no carpentry skills and supplying false information. The reporter did, however, give his correct name and national insurance number.
The stunt, in which the newspaper claimed its reporter was able to track down Prince Harry's bedroom, came after last month's bombing attacks, and amid several recent lapses in royal security.
Just days before Prince Charles wed Camilla Parker Bowles at Windsor Castle in April, The Sun claimed that a reporter posing as a delivery driver passed the castle's security barrier driving a white van that contained a brown box marked with the word "bomb."
In September, a protester disguised as Batman climbed onto a ledge at the front of Buckingham Palace and remained there for several hours.
Prince Harry began his training at Sandhurst this past spring.
- SAPA