Prince Harry has slammed the UK Government as "rock bottom" in an extraordinary political attack.
The 55-page statement was released on Tuesday as he began giving evidence in his phone hacking case against Mirror Group Newspapers.
Harry said: "Our country is judged globally by the state of our press and our Government – both of which I believe are at rock bottom."
He continued: "Democracy fails when your press fails to scrutinise and hold the Government accountable, and instead choose to get into bed with them so they can ensure the status quo."
In May, Prince Harry lost his security battle against the Home Office.
The royal was challenging the Home Office over his security arrangements when visiting the UK.
The Duke of Sussex was fighting to secure a judicial review over a decision that he should not be allowed to pay privately for his protective security.
Harry is now unable to bring a second High Court challenge
against the Home Office.
The Home Office opposed the idea of
allowing wealthy people to buy security from the police.
A
government spokesperson said following the verdict: "We welcome the judgment
upholding the integrity of the protective security system.
"The
UK Government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate.
"It
is our long-standing policy not to provide detailed information on those
arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect
individuals’ security.
"It would not be appropriate to comment
further on the legal proceedings."
Prince Harry is pursuing
multiple civil cases through the High Court in London.
The Duke
of Sussex is the first senior member of the Royal Family to be questioned in
court since 1891.
Harry was scheduled to give evidence in person
on Monday during his phone-hacking case against MGN, however, the royal is
giving evidence in person for the first time today, having flown from the US
late on Sunday evening.
