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Harry security scare
16/06/2005 12:03 - (SA)
London - A newspaper said on Thursday that a reporter carrying a "fake bomb" penetrated Britain's elite military academy at Sandhurst while it is training Prince Harry, third in line to the throne, to be an officer.
The Sun newspaper claimed Harry, younger son of Prince Charles and the late Diana, was at Sandhurst while its reporter spent seven hours wandering the grounds and corridors carrying a fake explosive.
The defence ministry said it had launched a review of security, without confirming whether the 20-year-old Harry was present at the time of the lapse.
"I have demanded an immediate investigation into this serious security breach. I have instructed Sandhurst to change their procedures to prevent a recurrence," defence secretary John Reid said.
At the beginning of last month, Harry began a tough 44 weeks of intensive training as an army officer at Sandhurst, in Camberley, southeast England.
He has completed the first five weeks which are known as the "breaking-in" period, when both male and female cadets train for up to 20 hours a day without leaving the academy grounds.
Once they get through that, the recruits can go out for a weekend.
The Sun said its reporter, who it did not name, posed as a "warfare student", wandering into accommodation blocks where cadets sleep.
On its front page it printed a picture, taken from video footage, of the prince with fellow cadets.
The reporter sent an e-mail to the academy's chief librarian giving a vague outline of his research into 20th century warfare, the newspaper said.
He reportedly received an e-mail back confirming an appointment and days later received an invitation from Sandhurst in the post.
The newspaper said the reporter was then waved through security and strolled into the library before wandering off.
He later went back to his car where he constructed a fake bomb with wires, plasticine, a battery and clock, The Sun said.
After seven hours at the base he was finally challenged but simply asked for directions to a shop and was sent on his way.
A policeman challenged him soon afterwards but was satisfied with the reporter's explanation and allowed him to stay on the base, it was reported.
A spokesperson at Clarence House, the residence of Prince Charles, said "we never comment on security matters."
- AFP
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South Africa
