Robert Palmer KC has successfully defended a judicial review claim brought by the Duke of Sussex concerning his security arrangements in Great Britain.
Following a one-day hearing On 16 May, Mr Justice Chamberlain has handed down judgment refusing permission to apply for judicial review.
The Duke of Sussex wished to challenge a decision on behalf of the Home Secretary to reject the principle of permitting the private funding of police protection where the provision of such protection was no longer judged to be in the public interest. The decision concluded that it would be inappropriate to support or authorise the wealthy to ‘buy’ protective security services provided by specialist officers of the Metropolitan Police.
This was the Duke’s second claim for judicial review of decisions made concerning his security since his stepping back as a working member of the Royal Family. The Duke’s first claim, in which Robert is also acting, challenges the decision to alter his protective security arrangements. That claim had been granted permission in July 2022 on a limited basis and will be heard in due course.
Robert was instructed by the Government Legal Department and the full judgment can be found here.
The case has been widely reported, including on the BBC which you can view here.