Princes ignored warnings

Aug 11, 2006, 13:45 GMT

Britain's Princes William and Harry ignored warnings their mobile phones were unsafe - it has been reported.

The princes - who are at the centre of a royal phone-tapping scandal - reportedly chose to dismiss suspicions raised by their security officers that their calls and messages were being intercepted.

Concern over unsafe communication lines were first raised by staff at Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles, in last November.

As a result Scotland Yard launched an investigation, however, according to Britain's The Times newspaper, William and Harry continued to use their mobile phones freely.

Suspicions of communications being intercepted grew when text messages, sent by the princes to their girlfriends were printed in Britain's News of the World newspaper.

The young princes' mobile phones were reportedly open to higher risk of being tapped, as they are not protected by the same security system as their father, Prince Charles.

The Prince of Wales, as well several senior government figures including the Prime Minister, the Defence Secretary and the Foreign Secretary, have an advanced 'watertight' telephone system.

The police inquiry has led to the arrests of the publication's royal editor Clive Goodman and businessman Glenn Mulcaire - both have been charged with offences of plotting to intercept communications.

They will appear in court next Wednesday (16.08.06)

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