Canadian taxpayers shouldn't foot the bill for Harry and Meghan's security, says MP

Canadian taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for security costs for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, one of the country’s MPs has said.

Laurel Collins, who is MP for Victoria where Harry and Meghan are currently staying, said it was important that politicians were seen to be thinking about priorities when it comes to taxpayers’ money.

Harry and Meghan are currently on Vancouver Island after stepping back from royal duties.

Following a deal with the Queen, from the spring the couple will no longer carry out royal duties or accept public money and will spend most of their time in North America.

It has not yet been revealed who will pay for security arrangements for the couple and baby son Archie, with some speculating that the British government will continue to foot the bill, and a “cost-sharing deal” between the UK and Canada also mooted.

But Ms Collins said she would oppose such an arrangement, telling the PA news agency: “Yes, I hope that they’re planning on covering their security costs.

“When it comes to the money our government spends and taxpayer money it’s important that we put this into context and think about our priorities.

“That we’re prioritising making life more affordable for people, that we’re prioritising protecting our environment and that we’re spending our tax dollars on the things that really matter to Canadians.”

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She said she wanted to focus on young families in the area, who “might be struggling with the housing crisis or struggling with affordability”.

She added: “I want to make sure we are thinking about our priorities.”

Harry has now joined Meghan and Archie in Canada after staying in the UK to thrash out a deal with the Queen and other senior royals.

His return was followed by a legal warning to the media after various outlets published paparazzi shots of Meghan walking her dogs with Archie on Monday.

After the images – which were reportedly taken by photographers hiding in bushes with long-lens cameras – surfaced the couple’s legal team at Schillings sent a legal notice to the UK press, TV and photo agencies warning against using them.

The couple’s move away from the royal family has included plans to forge a different relationship with the media, with their Sussex Royal website outlining how they plan to change the way they work with the press.