Prince Harry’s visa row is set to continue as the Duke of Sussex will “no longer be protected by the Biden administration”, a conservative think tank director has claimed.
A Trump presidency means the Heritage Foundation is more likely to win its long-running bid for the Duke of Sussex’s visa documents to be made public, as they have been previously protected by Biden’s administration.
Speaking after Trump’s victory, Nile Gardiner, Director of The Heritage Foundation, said he believes there is now a “strong possibility” the think tank will be able to successfully appeal the decision.
Harry admitted in his 2023 memoir Spare to using various drugs recreationally, something he would have been required to disclose in immigration documents.
Prince Harry’s visa row set to continue as duke ‘no longer protected by Biden administration’
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The think tank claimed Harry’s admissions could have made him ineligible for entry to the US.
They subsequently sued the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the agency refused to disclose a Freedom of Information request for Harry’s files.
In September, a judge ruled the files are to remain private for now – a decision the think tank is now appealing.
Gardiner continued to tell The Mail: “I do think there’s a strong possibility that this could happen. It’s the President’s prerogative. Also, the new Homeland Security Secretary could order a review of Harry’s immigration application.
Nile Gardiner is Director of The Heritage FoundationGB News“There are multiple things that could happen but it would be in the best interests of the American people if the Trump administration releases Prince Harry’s records for public scrutiny and Harry should be held to account.”
According to Gardiner, the Biden White House “has bent over backwards to protect Prince Harry and that protection is going to come to an end after the inauguration.
“Releasing Harry’s immigration records would send a very strong message about applying the rule of law equally to everyone.
“There’s a clear public interest in their release. If Harry has nothing to hide he should support the release of the records.”
Prince Harry is under fire over his US visa applicationPA
Donald Trump has said Prince Harry’s treatment of the late Queen Elizabeth II was ‘unforgivable’
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Gardiner has predicted the files will be made public in the next year and that there would be “growing calls” to do so from the Republican-controlled Congress.`
Speaking in February, Trump told GB News he “wouldn’t protect” Harry if he won a second term because he “betrayed the Queen”.
He added: “That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.”
Asked about it in an interview with Nigel Farage, Trump said he would take “appropriate action” if Harry was found to have lied.