Jumat, 22 April 2022

Conservative MPs call for Boris Johnson to go over partygate as PM's tour of India continues - Sky News

Boris Johnson has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi as an investigation into whether he misled parliament about lockdown-busting Downing Street parties looms.

The prime minister will try to progress UK-India trade talks with Mr Modi, emphasising the importance of the partnership between the two nations for global peace and security.

He is also expected to discuss a new co-operation on clean and renewable energy in the hope of supporting India's transition away from imported oil.

It comes after it was confirmed that the PM will face a parliamentary investigation into whether he misled MPs when he denied lockdown rules were broken across Downing Street and Whitehall.

Politics hub: PM to face fresh partygate investigation

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson will face a parliamentary investigation into whether he misled MPs over partygate

Committee to examine whether PM lied to parliament

Northern Ireland minister Conor Burns defended Mr Johnson on Friday, telling Sky News that he did not believe that Mr Johnson had lied.

More on Boris Johnson

"I believe that when the full facts are seen, when the context comes out, that it will be clear that the prime minister, every time that he came to parliament, was faithful and genuine and true in what he believed.

"The prime minister told the House what he believed to be the truth in good faith at each stage and when there has been a development subsequent to that, new information, he has corrected the record."

Mr Burns said that "multiple inquiries" into partygate meant it would be "the most looked at event possibly since the Second World War" - and that the PM was "looking forward to drawing this to a conclusion".

On Thursday, MPs backed a Labour-led motion calling for the Privileges Committee to investigate Mr Johnson's conduct.

The motion was nodded through without a vote.

Conservative MPs had earlier been ordered to back a government attempt to delay the vote until inquiries by the Met Police and civil servant Sue Gray have concluded.

In a late reversal shortly before the debate began amid widespread reports that numerous Tory MPs may rebel against the government, Commons Leader Mark Spencer said Conservative MPs could vote however they wanted on Labour's motion.

And in a blow to Mr Johnson, former minister Steve Baker, an influential Conservative MP, earlier said the prime minister "should be long gone".

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Steve Baker urged Boris Johnson to resign

Conservative MPs call for Johnson to go

Meanwhile, fellow Conservative MP and Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee chairman William Wragg confirmed he had submitted a letter of no confidence in Mr Johnson's leadership.

"I cannot reconcile myself to the prime minister's continued leadership of our country and the Conservative Party," he told MPs in a scathing Commons speech.

Lord Barwell, former chief of staff to Theresa May - Mr Johnson's predecessor in Downing Street - told Sky News on Friday that it all showed the mood among Tory MPs "isn't quite as supportive of the PM as maybe some people were having us believe two or three days ago".

He said that the comments from Mr Baker, a key figure in Mrs May's downfall, were also very significant, adding: "If I was still doing my old job in Number 10 I would be very worried about that intervention yesterday."

Speaking to Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby in India, the prime minister insisted he had "absolutely nothing, frankly, to hide" when trying to explain his decision to drop the government's amendment to the Labour motion.

"People were saying it looks like we are trying to stop stuff. I didn't want that. I didn't want people to be able say that," Mr Johnson said.

Meanwhile, responding to Mr Baker's call for him to quit, the PM added: "I understand people's feelings. I don't think that is the right thing to do."

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Boris Johnson says he has 'nothing to hide' on partygate..

The investigation will not fully begin until the conclusion of the Metropolitan Police's inquiry into 12 events and the Privileges Committee will determine whether the PM is in contempt of parliament for misleading MPs with his repeated denials of lockdown-busting parties in Downing Street.

On Thursday, the Met confirmed that they will not issue any further partygate updates before the May local elections.

Scotland Yard told Sky News that the investigation would carry on and officers would continue recommending fines - but the force will not put out media notices on referrals until after the polls on 5 May.

But Number 10 has pledged to confirm if the prime minister or cabinet secretary receive any fines before next month's elections.

So far, more than 50 fines have been issued in relation to the lockdown-breaking parties in Westminster.

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Last week the prime minister, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Mr Johnson's wife Carrie Johnson were all issued fixed-penalty notices for attending an event to mark the prime minister's 56th birthday.

The prime minister is thought to have been at more of the 12 events under investigation by Scotland Yard.

The PM has faced persistent calls to resign over partygate and apologised to MPs this week in a performance high on contrition.

Earlier on Thursday, Mr Sunak said he is "extremely and sincerely sorry" for the upset he caused by attending the rule-breaching gathering.

Speaking in Washington ahead of an IMF meeting, Mr Sunak apologised for the "hurt and the anger" he had caused over his partygate fine and said he had "always acted in good faith" when discussing the matter in parliament.

The prime minister missed the debate in the Commons on his conduct on Thursday as he began his two-day official visit to India.

On Friday, Mr Johnson will discuss next-generation defence and security collaboration with Mr Modi across land, sea, air, space and cyber - including support for new Indian-designed and built fighter jets.

Read more: What are the Met Police investigating regarding partygate?

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Boris Johnson is in India where he's expected to offer to help cut Indian reliance on Russian oil and defence equipment

The UK will issue an Open General Export Licence to India - reducing bureaucracy and shortening delivery times for defence procurement.

A virtual Hydrogen Science and Innovation hub will also be launched to accelerate green hydrogen.

Ahead of his meeting with the Indian PM, Mr Johnson said: "The world faces growing threats from autocratic states which seek to undermine democracy, choke off free and fair trade and trample on sovereignty.

"The UK's partnership with India is a beacon in these stormy seas. Our collaboration on the issues that matter to both our countries, from climate change to energy security and defence, is of vital importance as we look to the future.

"I look forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi today and working together to deliver a more secure and prosperous future for both our peoples."

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2022-04-22 01:31:01Z
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Ukrainian troops begin training in Britain as Johnson steps up support - Reuters UK

NEW DELHI, April 21 (Reuters) - A small number of Ukrainian troops are being trained in Britain for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion as Prime Minister Boris Johnson steps up his military support to help Ukraine fight off its neighbour. The troops began training with armoured patrol vehicles donated by Britain this month, Johnson's spokesman said.

Britain is providing Ukraine with 120 armoured patrol vehicles, including the Mastiff, which can be used as a reconnaissance or patrol vehicle. The spokesman said Britain, in conjunction with its allies, was providing new types of equipment to Ukrainian soldiers that they may not have used before.

"It is only sensible that they get requisite training to make best use of it," the spokesman said. "We are always conscious of anything perceived to be escalatory but clearly what is escalatory is the actions of (Vladimir) Putin’s regime."

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Johnson, under pressure over parties at his Downing Street residence during the coronavirus lockdown restrictions, has been at the forefront of efforts to supply Ukraine with military equipment since the start of the war.

The British leader has established close ties with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, talking to him regularly by phone and visiting him in Kyiv.

Members of the Ukrainian government visited a military camp in April on Britain's Salisbury Plain where they were shown demonstrations of equipment, followed by discussions on how the government can supply weapons. Britain's military has been training Ukrainian forces since the 2014 annexation of Crimea. They were withdrawn in February to avoid direct conflict with Russian forces and the possibility of NATO being drawn into the conflict.

Since the start of the war, Britain has provided Ukraine with anti-ship, anti-aircraft and light anti-tank weapons, which have proved useful for mobile Ukrainian fighters to use against Russia's armoured vehicles.

The United States military is also training Ukrainian troops on using howitzer artillery while Britain is training Ukrainians in Poland to use anti-aircraft weapons.

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Editing by William Maclean

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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2022-04-21 21:02:00Z
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'Astonishing': Crimes reported at royal palaces revealed, with hundreds going unpunished - Sky News

Hundreds of crimes have been reported at royal palaces in the last three years including offences involving weapons, drugs, violence and robbery.

A total of 470 crimes were recorded at Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, St James's Palace and Clarence House - either inside or immediately outside the grounds - between 2019 and 2021, the Metropolitan Police revealed.

They included hundreds of thefts along with reports of arson and criminal damage, burglary, robbery, possession of weapons and violence against the person offences.

Less than 1% of the crimes resulted in someone being charged, cautioned or fined, and no suspects were identified in more than 400 offences, according to data released under the Freedom of Information Act.

It comes after Prince Harry voiced security fears about bringing his family from the US to the UK, saying he "does not feel safe" when visiting and offering to pay for police protection.

Prince Harry has given a wide-ranging interview to James Corden. Pic: AP
Image: The Duke of Sussex now lives in California with Meghan and their two children. Pic: AP

Dai Davies, a former head of royal protection at Scotland Yard, said the number of crimes was "astonishing" and "frightening".

The former chief superintendent told Sky News: "If you can steal or cause incidents at or near the royals, what does that say about the current security?

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"If these offences have an impact on the personal safety of the royals, that would give me great concern."

What does the data show?

Sky News submitted a freedom of information request to the Met Police asking for details of crimes reported at those four royal residences in London since 2019.

The force refused to provide some of the information for "national security" and "law enforcement" reasons, including which crimes had been reported at each location, and whether the offences took place inside the grounds or immediately outside.

A police officer patrols within the grounds of Buckingham Palace
Image: A police officer patrols within the grounds of Buckingham Palace

In total, 383 crimes were recorded in 2019, before a sharp drop in offences during the coronavirus pandemic, with 64 crimes reported in 2020 and 23 in 2021.

Among the offences were:

• Theft - 380

• Possession of weapons - 25

• Drug offences - 17

• Arson and criminal damage - 15

• Violence against the person - 15

• Public order offences - 8

• Robbery - 7

• Burglary - 1

• Vehicle offences - 1

• Miscellaneous crimes against society - 1

A police vehicle drives past Buckingham Palace in London, Britain, January 4, 2022. REUTERS/John Sibley
Image: A police car outside Buckingham Palace

Of the 470 crimes recorded, just nine resulted in someone being charged or summonsed. One caution was issued, along with one penalty notice for disorder.

No suspect was identified in 404 offences, while 34 crimes had evidential difficulties, and five cases were deemed not in the public interest.

Sixteen crimes were dealt with by community resolutions, which are used for low-level offences and can include a simple apology, an offer of compensation or a promise to clear up any criminal damage.

Buckingham Palace worker jailed for thefts

Last year, a member of catering staff at Buckingham Palace was jailed after stealing medals and official photos of the royal family from the Queen's residence.

Adamo Canto was sentenced to eight months in prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft between November 2019 and August 2020.

Adamo Canto was jailed after admitting stealing medals and official photos of the royal family
Image: Adamo Canto was jailed after admitting stealing medals and official photos of the royal family

Some of the goods, worth between £10,000 and £100,000, were listed for sale on eBay, a court heard.

In February, a man who scaled a Buckingham Palace fence was spared jail by a judge who told him he was lucky not to have been killed by police.

Cameron Kalani entered the Royal Mews - which houses the Royal Family's horses - in the early hours of 10 May last year.

Cameron Kalani leaving Westminster Magistrates Court in London where he admitted trespassing at Buckingham Palace after scaling the fence to the Royal Mews. The 44 year old was caught with a kitchen knife and cocaine in his bag when he was held in the early hours of May 10. Picture date: Friday November 19, 2021.
Image: Cameron Kalani pictured leaving Westminster Magistrates' Court

The 44-year-old, who was caught with a 20cm kitchen knife and cocaine in his bag when he was arrested, was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

Deputy District Judge Roy Brown told Kalani: "It is just good luck and good fortune that neither you nor anyone else was either seriously injured or killed in the course of your escapade."

Meanwhile, an American tourist was fined £200 in February after admitting trespassing in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Joseph Huang Kang, 24, outside Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where he is charged with trespassing in the Royal Mews. Mr Kang, who is accused of sneaking into the stables of Buckingham Palace on December 10, 2021, was bailed on condition that he not be within 200 metres of Buckingham Palace and that he does not attempt to leave the United Kingdom. Picture date: Wednesday January 12, 2022.
Image: Joseph Huang Kang outside Westminster Magistrates' Court

Joseph Huang Kang jumped over the fence into the Royal Mews last December, ignoring staff who challenged him and running off before being found in the toilets.

The 24-year-old from Houston, Texas, pleaded guilty to trespassing on a protected site.

What does the Met Police say?

The Met Police said it had "responsibility for security in and around the royal palaces, but we will not comment on matters relating to security".

A force spokesman told Sky News: "In common with other crowded locations, the majority of offences committed at or within the vicinity of the palaces were thefts.

"Officers will always endeavour to pursue all viable and proportionate lines of enquiry."

Kensington Palace in London
Image: Kensington Palace in London

The force also defended its decision not to disclose which crimes were recorded at each royal residence, or whether the offences occurred inside or outside the grounds.

In its Freedom of Information response, a spokesman said: "To disclose the requested information would allow interested criminal parties to gain an advantage and increased awareness of policing decisions used to safeguard national security.

"All royal residences are considered sites of national interest. Any possible threat... would be considered a threat to the prime institution of the United Kingdom's constitutional arrangements and therefore a threat to national security.

"Whilst there is a public interest in transparency of the use of policing resources and its effectiveness against the threat posed to the Royal Family and royal residences… there is a very strong public interest in safeguarding."

Buckingham Palace declined to comment when approached by Sky News.

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Kamis, 21 April 2022

Rikki Neave: James Watson guilty of schoolboy's 1994 murder - BBC

A family photograph of six-year-old Rikki Neave
Cambs Police

A man has been found guilty of murdering a six-year-old schoolboy more than 27 years ago.

Rikki Neave disappeared on 28 November 1994 and his body was found in woods near his Peterborough home the following day.

He had been strangled and his naked body deliberately posed in a star shape by his killer.

James Watson, now 41 but 13 at the time of Rikki's death, was found guilty by jurors at the Old Bailey in London.

He was the second person to stand trial for Rikki's murder, after the boy's mother Ruth Neave was cleared by a jury in 1996.

Watson was convicted after jurors were given a majority verdict direction by judge Mrs Justice McGowan. They deliberated for 36 hours and 31 minutes following the 11-week trial.

Ms Neave described her son's murderer as a "monster", criticised the original investigation and said police and social services "totally ruined mine and my daughters' lives".

In a statement, she said: "The only thing now is to close this chapter in my life and open a new one.

"I wonder what Rikki would be like today, married, children? Who knows?

"But this monster has taken that all from me and my daughters."

James Watson
Cambridgeshire Police

A cold case investigation into Rikki's murder was opened in 2015.

Adhesive tapings from his clothes were examined and a DNA match to Watson was made.

Watson claimed he may have lifted Rikki to help him see over a fence, but police found archive TV footage showing there was no fence at the time.

Jurors heard Watson strangled his victim with a ligature or anorak collar to fulfil a "morbid fantasy" he had told his mother about three days before.

He stripped Rikki and posed his naked body in a star shape for sexual gratification, the court heard.

Rikki Neave
PA Media

Watson was interviewed as a witness by police in 1994 after an elderly resident reported seeing him with Rikki.

Rikki's last meal of Weetabix fixed his time of death at about midday, which meant the boy was killed shortly after being seen with Watson.

Police had previously interviewed Watson over an allegation he molested a five-year-old in 1993.

A former girlfriend also told jurors he put his hands around her throat during sex.

While on bail following his arrest in 2016, Watson left the UK in a motorhome via the Dover ferry port with another bail hostel resident.

He contacted his sister from France and she told the trial that Watson said he "was in a lot of trouble and he had made a huge mistake".

Watson was re-arrested near the British Embassy in Lisbon and was brought back to the UK.

police
PA Media
presentational grey line

BBC correspondent Jo Black at the Old Bailey

Rikki Neave was a cheeky and mischievous six-year-old who loved playing on his Game Boy.

The woodland on the edge of Peterborough's Welland estate was a place where Rikki would play, build dens, catch frogs and run around with sticks - "boy's stuff" as one of his friends described it.

But it's also the place where he was murdered and left so callously in a Vitruvian man pose. Today, many of those directly touched by this tragedy have left the estate and moved elsewhere.

And while some of today's residents are too young to recall what happened back in 1994, there are people who stayed and remember it like it was yesterday.

flowers
PA Media

At the time of Rikki's death, a friend of the Neave family said she "couldn't wait" to find out who had killed Rikki, so it could offer some "peace of mind".

That road to justice has taken almost 28 years and has been complex. James Watson was an adolescent, he murdered a small boy and then kept quiet.

But the vociferous campaigning by Rikki's family seeking answers, advances in forensic science and a re-examination of the evidence by a completely new team of police officers led to Watson being convicted.

presentational grey line

Reacting to the verdict, Rikki's sister Rochelle Neave, 30, said: "He thought he'd got away with it for that many years and thought we were just going to go away and roll under the table. We weren't."

Youngest sister Sheradyn Neave, 27, who was a baby when Rikki died, added: "I think we were let down by the police at the time, we were let down by social services, we were let down by everyone who was in our lives who was meant to care."

Former assistant chief constable Paul Fullwood, who led the cold case investigation for Cambridgeshire Police, called Watson "a fantasist, a dangerous individual and a compulsive liar".

Former Assistant Chief Constable Paul Fullwood
PA Media

Speaking outside the Old Bailey, he acknowledged "there's lessons that have been learned since the 1994 investigation".

He added: "We've spoken to Ruth [Neave] and we hope that today's verdict brings some closure for the years and years of the investigation while it's gone on."

Clare Forsdike, a senior crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said the conviction "concludes an appalling unsolved crime almost 30 years after it happened. It brings justice for Rikki."

"Only James Watson knows why he did it. He remained silent for two decades and then put Rikki's family through the agony of a trial," she said.

Picture of Ruth Neave

Jurors were told that during the original police case against mother Ruth Neave, incorrect weight was given to sightings of Rikki, at a time when reliable evidence showed he was already dead.

"This fundamental error deflected the focus of attention of the investigation," prosecutor John Price QC said.

She was cleared of his murder, but jailed for child cruelty - a charge she subsequently claimed to have been "bullied" into admitting.

Watson will be sentenced on 9 May.

presentational grey line

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2022-04-21 15:53:56Z
1394949252

Downing Street parties:PM says he'll fight next election as Tory leader - as minister insists delaying vote is fair thing to do - Sky News

Boris Johnson has vowed to fight the next election as Tory leader despite pressure to resign over the partygate row - as a minister insisted that delaying a Commons vote over the affair was the "right thing to do".

As he set off on a two-day trip to India, the prime minister said he had no plans to quit over the Met Police investigation into parties in Downing Street and across Whitehall during lockdown.

"The best thing to do for the people, for parliament, is to get on and focus on the things we were elected to do," he said.

His comments came shortly before MPs were due to vote on Thursday on whether he should be investigated for misleading the Commons when he denied COVID rules had been broken.

On Wednesday evening, however, the government sought to delay the vote until after the police inquiry was completed and the report by civil servant Sue Gray into partygate had been published.

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Angela Rayner tells Kay Burley the partygate fine for Boris Johnson is a 'red line' and that 'we need a prime minister the people have trust and confidence in'

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi told Sky News' Kay Burley that was "the right way of doing this if you follow due process".

He said: "I think you'll find most of my colleagues, who are fair-minded, who believe in due process, will vote for the amendment - because it's the right thing to do."

More on Boris Johnson

Former Tory MP David Gauke questioned that rationale, telling Sky News that even if the probe does take place after the police and Sue Gray inquiries "it seems perfectly reasonable to make the decision that there should be such an investigation, at this point."

Otherwise, Conservatives could find themselves "accused of trying to cover up this issue, of trying to protect the prime minister".

The government argues that its delaying amendment will allow MPs "to have all the facts at their disposal" when they make a decision.

It is understood that all Tory MPs will be whipped to support the move, which could push back the vote for months.

There is likely to be heated debate on the matter in the Commons today.

Mr Johnson, however, will miss it after landing in India this morning.

When asked by reporters on the way there whether there were any circumstances under which he would resign, the prime minister said: "Not a lot springs to mind at the moment."

Modi
Image: Boris Johnson will begin a two-day visit to India today

Pressed further, he suggested partygate was not at the forefront of voters' minds.

"I think politics has taught me one thing which is that you're better off talking and focusing on the things that matter and the things that make a real difference to the electorate, and not about politicians themselves."

PM fined for birthday event

Labour tabled the motion on whether Mr Johnson misled parliament after he was fined for attending his own birthday party at Downing Street during lockdown in June 2020.

He is also thought to have been at other gatherings under investigation by Scotland Yard.

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The prime minister apologises to the House of Commons

Labour's original motion said he misled the Commons on at least four occasions:

• On 1 December 2021, Mr Johnson told MPs "that all guidance was followed in Number 10"

• On 8 December 2021, he said: "I have been repeatedly assured since these allegations emerged that there was no party and that no COVID rules were broken"

• Also that day, he said: "I am sickened myself and furious about that, but I repeat what I have said to him: I have been repeatedly assured that the rules were not broken"

• Finally on the same day: "The guidance was followed and the rules were followed at all times"

In the Commons on Tuesday, Mr Johnson repeatedly apologised to MPs but insisted he had not believed the birthday party broke COVID rules.

Modi
Image: The PM's visit comes at a time when Prime Minister Modi's government is refusing to criticise Russia

The vote would refer Mr Johnson to the privileges committee, which would investigate whether he misled Parliament and has the power to force the release of documents and photos linked to partygate.

The ministerial code states that ministers who deliberately mislead the House are expected to quit.

PM in India

Mr Johnson's visit comes as Prime Minister Modi's government refuses to criticise Russia, an ally of India since the Cold War.

India relies heavily on Moscow for arms imports and has abstained in a series of UN votes over the war in Ukraine.

"I will make the argument that everybody needs to move away from dependence on Putin's hydrocarbons," Mr Johnson said.

He also vowed to bring up human rights concerns with Mr Modi, who is accused of whipping up anti-Muslim sentiment.

Mr Johnson is expected to announce a new trade agreement with India, which will see more than £1bn in investments and export deals and the creation of almost 11,000 jobs in the UK.

However, the prime minister has indicated the deal will include accepting Delhi's demands for an increase in migration to the UK.

Downing Street said the deal needs to be "fair" and "reciprocal" while being consistent with the points-based immigration system put in place after Brexit.

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2022-04-21 06:56:15Z
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Rabu, 20 April 2022

Prince Harry reveals he misses family in UK and working from home has been 'really hard' in interview with Hoda Kotb - Sky News

Prince Harry has said he misses his family in his latest television interview - and admitted that working from home has been "really hard" especially with young children in the house.

In an interview with NBC's Today show host Hoda Kotb in the Netherlands about the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex spoke openly about his family and how he wants to make the world a "better place for his kids".

He also said how he feels the guidance of his mother "more than ever before".

Prince Harry has sat down for an interview with Hoda Kotb at the Invictus Games
Image: Prince Harry sat down for an interview with Hoda Kotb at the Invictus Games

Asked if he missed his family at home, he said "yes", adding "especially over the last two years, for most people, have we not missed their families? Right?"

But when asked specifically if he missed his brother and father, Prince William and Prince Charles, he stopped short of answering directly, saying he was focused on competitors at the Invictus Games.

"Look, I mean... at the moment, I'm here focused on these guys and these families and giving everything I can, 120% to them to make sure that they have the experience of a lifetime," he said.

"That's my focus here. And when I leave here, I go back, and my focus is my family, who I miss massively."

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Harry's Platinum Jubilee uncertainty

The duke said he does not know if he will return to the UK to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, saying there are "security issues and everything else".

He said he was "sure" his grandmother was looking forward to her celebrations, but was not sure he would be able to attend.

When asked if he would be there, he said: "I don't know yet. There's lots of things - security issues and everything else.

"So this is what I'm trying to do - trying to make it possible that, you know, I can get my kids to meet her."

There has been speculation whether Harry will make a balcony appearance with the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Working from home 'not all it's cracked up to be'

He said days revolve "around the kids as much as humanly possible" and they would interrupt their Zoom calls.

The 37-year-old added: "This whole working from home stuff is not all it's cracked up to be - certainly post-COVID - because it's really hard.

"But when your kids and you are in the same place, it's really hard to separate the work from them, because they kind of overlap. I mean, Archie spends more time interrupting our Zoom calls."

It was pointed out to Harry that he had lived in the US for two years and he was asked if he feels "peaceful now".

He said: "I don't know how many people feel truly peaceful, you know? I feel, at times, I feel massively at peace.

"And we as human beings are compassionate people. But when your life becomes really hard, it can be, for some, harder to find the compassion for other people.

"But what I've learned over the years is - certainly for myself - I find healing in helping others. And I think that's what we should really be focusing on."

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'US welcomed us with open arms'

Harry says his mother is 'helping me set up'

Harry said he had "always wanted to be a dad" and "I've got two little people who I'm responsible for" and had been telling them about his mother, who died in 1997.

Of his son, Archie, two, the duke said: "I don't tell him all the stuff that happened, but certainly this is, you know, Grandma Diana and a couple of photos up in the house."

Asked if he feels the presence of his mother, Harry added: "It's constant. It has been over the last two years. More so than ever before.

"It's almost as though she's done her bit with my brother and now she's very much back to helping me. Got him set up, now she's helping me set up. That's what it feels like.

"He's got his kids. I've got my kids. You know, circumstances are obviously different.

"I feel her presence in almost everything that I do now. But definitely more so in the last two years than ever before."

The Duke of Sussex plays table tennis at the Dusseldorf 2022 stand during the Invictus Games at Zuiderpark the Hague, Netherlands. Picture date: Tuesday April 19, 2022.
Image: The Duke of Sussex plays table tennis at the Invictus Games

Duke tells of responsibility 'I feel' as a parent

He said there was "so much to be happy about in the outside world, but there's also so much to worry about" and it was about "trying to make the world a better place for my kids".

He added: "Otherwise, what's the point in bringing kids into this world, right? It's a responsibility that I feel as a parent."

The Duke of Sussex was joined by his wife, Meghan, to visit the Queen during their journey to the Invictus Games last week.

Harry said his grandmother was "on great form" and he wanted to make sure she was "protected" and had the "right people around her".

Queen to celebrate birthday at Sandringham

Meanwhile, the Queen has arrived at her Norfolk estate where she will celebrate her 96th birthday on Thursday.

The monarch was flown by helicopter from Windsor Castle to her Sandringham home, where she enjoyed family gatherings with the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Queen has been experiencing mobility issues in recent months and cancelled appearances at a number of events.

She was able to attend Philip's memorial service and has continued carrying out her duties of state and hosting virtual events.

It is thought the monarch will stay at the Duke of Edinburgh's cottage Wood Farm while at Sandringham, a property she said her late husband "loved".

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2022-04-20 14:35:25Z
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