Afghanistan

Prince Harry `cleared for Afghanistan return'

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There are unconfirmed reports that Prince Harry has been cleared to be redeployed to Afghanistan.

Now a British Army captain, he served for 10 weeks as a forward air controller in 2007-08, directing jets to Taliban positions in Helmand province.

His tour of duty was abruptly when foreign websites broke a media blackout on reporting details of his service.

Captain Wales is now undergoing "conversion to role" training at RAF Wattisham in Suffolk after qualifying as an Apache pilot. Once completed in seven months' time he will be assigned to a squadron. He is expected to be based at the flying station for four years.

The Sun and the Daily Mirror claim defence chiefs and the Queen have given the go-ahead for Harry to return to the frontline.

A spokesman for Clarence House said: "Harry is an Army pilot and will deploy wherever the Army chooses to send him.

"His course finishes in 2012 and after that his deployment will be a matter for the Army chain of command."

The Ministry of Defence said it could not comment on individual deployments.

PICTURE: Ministry of Defence