What exactly did New Idea print about Prince Harry?

EDIT: Please credit and/or link to Left Luggage if you use this material.

In a panic, New Idea have pulled their previous Prince Harry coverage online and replaced it with his biography.

Thankfully Google's cache has full details. For now.

Prince Harry Goes to War in Afghanistan

Jan 07 04:33pm

Prince Harry has joined his regiment on a covert mission to Afghanistan and his unit has already seen front line action.

Not seen in public since the middle of December, New Idea can exclusively reveal that despite opposition from senior members of the British government and the royal family itself, Harry now joins his uncle Prince Andrew as a royal who has been to war.

'At first there was a lot of resistance' said a friend 'but Harry threatened to resign his commission and serve as a private if he was kept from the battlefield - and that proved to be the final straw'.

Full details on this breaking story in this week's New Idea.

Do you think that Prince Harry should be allowed to go to war?

7 Comments

1. ccking@xtra.co.nz - Jan 07 01:50pm

I think so no way

2. rosebaydoublebaymanly - Jan 07 02:41pm

yes, i think it is good. look the queen's own father who was second in line to throne served in the first world war, and Prince Andrew served in the Falklands war.

3. kaztashgenni - Jan 07 02:44pm

Yes. Why should he not defend the country he loves. His Mum would be very worried but also very proud!

4. kaztashgenni - Jan 07 02:45pm

Yes. Why should he not defend the country he loves. His Mum would be very worried but also very proud!

5. elle_cee32000 - Jan 07 02:50pm

he shouldnt be in the army if he is just playing soldiers!

6. bunnyrosenator - Jan 07 03:18pm

Regardless of whether Prince Harry has gone, it is afterall his decision, don't you think you as the media are being extremely irresponsible publishing that they are on a covert mission and indicating where, putting everyone's lives at risk - whatever happened to "loose lips sink ships".

7. linnmarilyn - Jan 07 03:19pm

If the Prince's presence puts the other men's lives in any danger by him being there, then NO, he should not go. Is it just to say that he went? What a man! I think it is all chest beating and quasi herotics.

8. gbh123 - Jan 07 05:03pm

Prince Harry is trying to prove himself in the eyes of the citizens of the UK. He was trained at their expense and wants to do the job he was trained for...not just be another useless waste of their money.

9. hwe24715 - Jan 07 05:11pm

Nothing like a story to put his life at increased risk - and that of those around him. Goodness knows we would go if it was a war like WW1 or WW2.
You need to be a tad more discrete in your reporting

10. gkajwhite - Jan 07 06:03pm

I support every man or woman who is prepared to support and protect their country. If you are a soldier you know the risks involved and we should support them. Loss of life is heart breaking to a family, but know matter how we lose someone it is heartbreaking if they have not had their score years.

The second page of comments read:

11. annamargaret1948 - Jan 07 06:48pm

No, I don't think he should go to war if this represents a danger, either to himselg or to the members of his regiment. What is the point of 24 hour protection of the Royals, to then send them to war zones?

12. macgilla - Jan 07 10:09pm

Nothing like broadcasting his decision to go but I feel he is just wanting to big note himself. Maybe this will make him more responsible but threatening to resign his commission, who cares, as it's just another sign of a big ego

13. hugabye57 - Jan 08 11:16am

Even though Harry is a prince, he is still a human being just like anyone else who had to go to war. I think it a good idea as it would give them a sense of doing something important in life

14. sjh27au - Jan 08 11:29am

The young man has been through a lot in his few years even with so many privileges, that sometimes drag him down. I congratulate him on his determination to be with his company and to prove he is worth no more and no less than the men in his company. Good luck young man to you and your company.

15. maxwell.mouse - Jan 08 06:23pm

He choose to train as a soldier - he has the right to decide to go with his men - where he has been deployed to & when should not have been reported at this stage

16. jkearns_1 - Jan 10 12:57pm

It seems that a 'hot' news story is more important than the secrecy needed to protect lives. Shame on you!

17. jen_ny_67 - Jan 10 04:03pm

yes he needs a life

On January 15th, the title was changed to:

Prince Harry: War Lord

Jan 15 12:07pm

For your next trick, get a copy of that early January copy of 'New Idea'...

Battle Of The Banners

Apparently a bunch of anti-Heathrow Terminal 5 protestors have climbed onto the roof of the Houses Of Parliament to unfurl banners.

Nice one.

But did it have to be today?

I only say, because there's a mass lobby in a couple of hours to persuade MPs to back a Euro Referendum.

And what with the Iraq tents still in residence...

Well, it's going to be a little on the crowded side isn't it? Lost of mixed messages.

"Okay, we'll abandon plans to extend the Euro Referendum, we'll build a new terminal in Iraq and we'll bring our soldiers back from Heathrow..."

MI6 Slackers

So, per the Diana trial, MI6 is not in the business of going around the world bumping off people.

In that case, what are we paying them for exactly?

I think there needs to be a audit over millions of pounds per dead johnny foreigner. And if it doesn't add up, then heads will roll. Preferably when detached from the body in a tunnel in Paris.

Spending Time

Thanks to RichAndMark.com for a very Private Eye-ish commentary on the current financial expense scandal doing the rounds of all political parties.

It's like the Sopranos, it really is.

I wonder who will be spending time at Her Majesty's Pleasure?