Palace dismisses plot to kidnap Harry

LONDON: Buckingham Palace has dismissed as "irresponsible" newspaper reports that a kidnap threat forced Prince Harry to cut short a trip to a polo pony farm in Argentina.

A spokesman rejected front-page reports in most British newspapers yesterday that armed police had foiled a plot to kidnap the son of the heir to the throne, Prince Charles.

"I have seen the headlines," the palace spokesman said. "It is just hugely irresponsible."

He said 20-year-old Harry, third in line to the throne, was due back in Britain today (NZ time) as scheduled. Asked about the supposed kidnap plot, the spokesman said: "We never comment on security matters."

The Times trailed the story on its front page with the banner headline: "Kidnap threat forces Prince Harry home."

Citing the Argentine newspaper Pagina 12, the Times said a murder suspect in the local underworld tipped off the Argentine Government about a plot to kidnap the Prince.

The Times said 15 armed officers were sent to patrol the ranch, in Lobos, in the Pampa region, 100km southwest of the capital, Buenos Aires.

It said police fired shots into the air on Thursday night after detectives suspected kidnappers were near the ranch.

Local police told Reuters that shots were heard near the horse ranch, but said this was nothing unusual.

The mayor of Lobos, Gustavo Sobrero, attributed the shots to hare hunters in comments on radio.

The British Embassy in Buenos Aires would not comment.

The Prince arrived at the ranch less than a month after scuffling with a photographer outside a nightclub in central London.

Harry has earned the reputation as a royal "wild child" after admitting smoking marijuana and under-age drinking.

Reuters