Susanna Reid returned to Good Morning Britain on Monday, July 6, after a several-week absence for a "special project," and immediately clashed with her co-star Ed Balls and commentators over Prince Harry's upcoming UK visit. The Duke of Sussex is expected to travel without his wife Meghan Markle or their two children, following a decision that the family will not receive taxpayer-funded police security.
Reid Calls Security Decision 'Shocking'
Reid expressed outrage at the lack of protection, stating, "I think it's shocking. I don't understand why he is not given protection in England." Kevin Maguire, the Mirror's political editor, disagreed, arguing that a security assessment had determined there was no credible threat. "They make a security assessment and the assessment is clearly that no one is going to try and shoot him or his family," Maguire said.
Reid countered, "Do we know that?" Maguire replied, "Well, yes because otherwise he'd have protection. He's living in a country where people are killed in their thousands with guns. He's coming to a country where that doesn't happen." Reid hit back, "He's in a country where he knows that he has been sent threats and particularly Meghan. Why would we take the risk? He's the son of the King!"
Debate Over Risk and Royal Status
Former Conservative MP Kwasi Kwarteng added, "He's trying to have his cake and eat it. He left the Royal Family, he decided to walk away from that." Reid interjected, "Doesn't mean he's not under threat, Kwasi... We're talking about protecting a life." Ed Balls noted that Prince Harry is accustomed to armed protection in the US but would rely on the Metropolitan Police in the UK, which requires a threat assessment.
Maguire continued, "40% of the population in the UK doesn't own a gun. In America, I think it's two fifths [that] own guns, including just about every bad person; they own multiple guns." He argued Harry was no more at risk than the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who lacks armed protection, but Reid disagreed. "I don't understand why anyone would take the risk. Imagine if the worst happened," she said.
Maguire Dismisses Harry's Concerns
Maguire replied, "You can imagine the worst happening to 65, 66 million people in Britain who are more vulnerable and don't have any of his protection. I mean, come on. He's either become incredibly precious or he's horribly paranoid. That is it. I'm sorry he's not bringing his family, but it's up to them. I'm not going to lose any sleep over them not all coming." He concluded, "I don't see why we should have to, just because he feels at risk, [give him] all this protection," shortly before Reid changed the subject. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am.
