ONE of Hampshire's top politicians says Prince Harry should be allowed to perform frontline duties in Iraq.

Tory MP Desmond Swayne, who spent six months in Iraq as a major in the Territorial Army, has rejected claims that the junior cavalry officer should be banned from the danger zone.

Mr Swayne, who represents New Forest West, said members of the Royal family had always led their troops in battle.

He added: "Are princes who serve in the armed forces merely a decorative fringe who are there to add a touch of glamour, or are they real soldiers?

"Harry's view is that he's a real soldier.

"If it's too dangerous for him to serve in Iraq it's too dangerous for anyone.

"The only legitimate argument against him going is that he might present a tempting target but that case hasn't really been shown.

"Prince Harry will be mortified if he isn't allowed to serve with the men he trained with. It would be very bad for him personally.

"Members of the Royal family have always served in the armed forces and monarchs have always led their troops in battle. Why should that change now?

"If Prince Harry were killed it would be a severe blow to national morale and a significant coup for the insurgents.

"But on the balance of probabilities he would not be killed or injured, just as the vast majority of British troops serving in Iraq have not been killed or injured."

Mr Swayne spoke out after it was revealed that army chiefs could decide to keep Prince Harry away from the battlefields.