Former home secretary David Blunkett has said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be given a "limited", temporary level of security protection as they consider relocating to the UK, with the arrangement subject to review over time depending on the assessed threat level. His remarks come amid a deepening political row over whether taxpayers should fund the couple's protection, which could reportedly cost £5 million a year, with Labour figures split on the issue.

Blunkett suggested a "middle-ground" option of one or two protection officers travelling with Harry, rather than a full close-protection convoy, calling it "perfectly reasonable" on a temporary basis before reassessment in a couple of years. Labour's Dame Emily Thornberry backed providing security given Harry's status as the King's son, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch agreed given his public profile, but Labour peer Lord Foulkes argued it should be a private matter the wealthy couple pay for themselves, a view echoed by Andy Burnham. A decision is thought to have already been reached by the Ravec security committee, with Harry reportedly lobbying Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood directly, while a source suggested the family's UK move could last as little as six months.