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Priti Patel has rejected suggestions that the Duchess of Sussex has been subjected to racist press coverage in the UK media, saying people of any background can “get on in life” in Britain.
The Home Secretary said she had not seen any debates or commentary about Meghan which she thought were racist amid claims that racism has driven negative media reports.
She also refused to comment on future security arrangements for Harry and Meghan after their bombshell announcement that they would step back as senior royals but still support the Queen.
Asked on BBC Radio 5 if the media had been in any way racist, she replied: “I don’t think so, no … I certainly haven’t seen that through any debates or commentary or things of that nature.”
She added: “I’m not in that category at all where I believe there’s racism at all. I think we live in a great country, a great society, full of opportunity, where people of any background can get on in life.”
Overseas media have condemned the press coverage of Meghan in the UK, saying the duchess has been subjected to racism due to her mixed-race heritage.
Harry and Meghan have also been critical of the media attention. In November 2016, Harry lashed out at the “wave of abuse and harassment” the US actress had faced from the media – citing the “racial undertones of comment pieces” among his concerns.
He has also compared treatment of Meghan in the press to coverage of Harry’s mother Princess Diana. Last year, Meghan launched legal action against the publishers of the Mail on Sunday, while Harry launched action against the owners of the Sun and Daily Mirror.
As the Duke and Duchess of Sussex prepared for a face to face meeting with the Queen and other royals to discuss their future royal within the monarchy, Ms Patel refused to comment on their future security arrangements.
“I’m not going to provide any detailed information on the security arrangements for either them or any members of the royal family or for any protected individuals – that’s thoroughly inappropriate for me to do so,” she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“At this moment in time, right now, the royal family themselves need some time and space for them to work through the current issues that they’re dealing with.”
The Sussexes’ website indicates British taxpayers will still have to cover the cost of their police protection officers.
