The BBC released a statement on their website admitting to ‘a lapse in our usual high editorial standards’.

The BBC has issued a statement apologising for failing to “properly challenge” allegations made by Prince Harry in his bombshell interview with BBC News on Friday May 2 when they followed up on his claims on Radio 4’s Today on Saturday May 3. They admitted the show did not interrogate the Duke of Sussex’s claim that removing his UK security was “an establishment stitch-up” and said they should have included right of reply from both the Home Office and Buckingham Palace.

Prince Harry sat down for an interview with BBC News after losing a legal appeal to reinstate his UK security. In the chat he criticised his father King Charles, for failing to resolve the issue. The following morning Today discussed the interview with former close protection officer Richard Aitch, which is where the issue arose when they only gave his take on events. Writing on the “Corrections and Clarifications” section of their website they addressed the faux pas.

“The programme covered the latest developments in the story of Prince Harry and his legal case around protection for him and his family in the UK and interviewed former close protection officer Richard Aitch to get a broader understanding of security considerations.

“Claims were repeated that the process had been ‘an establishment stitch-up’ and we failed to properly challenge this and other allegations. This case is ultimately the responsibility of the Home Office and we should have reflected their statement,” they wrote.

They included the Home Office statement they had omitted from the show which said: “We are pleased that the Court has found in favour of the Government’s position in this case. The UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.