DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Harry’s crass comment that endangers our troops

It is hard to overstate the profound dismay which has greeted the Duke of Sussex’s tell-all memoir.

Even Harry’s most ardent sympathisers would concede that in trashing his brother and disclosing private remarks made by his grieving father at Prince Philip’s funeral, he has managed to insult both his family and the institution to which he owes his gilded existence.

But of all the revelations splashed across 550 pages of rage and self-pity, none threatens to carry more serious ramifications than the prince’s irresponsible boast of killing 25 Taliban fighters during his 20-week tour of Afghanistan in 2012.

Not only was his reference to those he killed as ‘chess pieces’ deeply offensive, his comments are also a shameful betrayal of his former comrades.

But of all the revelations splashed across 550 pages of rage and self-pity, none threatens to carry more serious ramifications than the prince’s irresponsible boast of killing 25 Taliban fighters during his 20-week tour of Afghanistan in 2012

As Andrew Neil points out in the pages opposite, the prince has broken one of the Armed Forces’ most long-standing omertas: Never brag about your kill count.

Indeed, many of us have loved ones who have fought bravely for their country yet would never dream of discussing something quite so personal as to whether they killed anyone, least of all publicly.

Small wonder, then, that both senior military personnel and veterans have reacted with horror to Harry’s indiscretion.

On top of that, the prince’s comments demonstrate an extraordinary recklessness, especially when you consider how much he understandably stresses the need to protect his family.

By antagonising the extremists, he might have jeopardised not just the safety of himself and those closest to him but also British soldiers who continue to be deployed around the world.

The Taliban certainly wasted no time in capitalising on Harry’s comments yesterday, branding him ‘cruel’ and ‘barbaric’ – words which will send chills through the Sussexes’ private protection team in Montecito.

Doubtless the prince will now renew his calls to be given police protection when he visits this country. But why should he, now that he is a private citizen?

Besides, considering the fallout from these latest bombshells, it would probably be wise for the time being for him to stay well away from these shores altogether.

Patients come last

Following reckless walkouts by nurses and ambulance drivers over Christmas, it was depressingly predictable that junior doctors from the belligerent British Medical Association would threaten a three-day strike in March.

Not only will their actions imperil patients, their demands for a 26 per cent pay rise are utterly fanciful. Even Labour has admitted it wouldn’t sanction such ruinous increases.

Following reckless walkouts by nurses and ambulance drivers over Christmas, it was depressingly predictable that junior doctors from the belligerent British Medical Association would threaten a three-day strike in March

Junior doctors are universally admired. They are the backbone of our already crisis-hit emergency care services.

But if people die as a direct result of their irresponsibility, that reputation would shatter beyond repair.

Childcare rip-off

Many families simply can’t afford to have one parent at home. Basic financial necessities mean both mum and dad have to be in full-time employment.

So our report today revealing Britain is now the most unaffordable country in the developed world for childcare is truly shameful. Statistics show that UK couples who earn just over £40,000 a year spend as much as 29 per cent of their income on fees for two children.

Our report today revealing Britain is now the most unaffordable country in the developed world for childcare is truly shameful

Liz Truss proposed reforming the system by increasing free childcare by 20 hours a week and easing excessive bureaucracy – plans Rishi Sunak promptly binned.

For the sake of thousands of families already struggling with the cost of living, he should reconsider them as a matter of urgency.

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