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Prince George 'harassment' warning to photographer | Prince George 'harassment' warning to photographer |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have asked a photographer to "cease harassing" Prince George. | |
A Kensington Palace statement said they were prompted to take action after the man was spotted near the 14-month-old and his nanny in a central London park. | |
The couple are not taking legal action at this stage, but may consider it in the future, the statement said. | |
Lawyers for the photographer, Niraj Tanna, said he had done nothing wrong and would continue with his work. | |
The statement from the palace said there was "reason to suspect that the individual may have been placing Prince George under surveillance and monitoring his daily routines for a period of time." | |
Legal options | |
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said palace officials believed the photographer's actions amounted to "stalking" and that lawyers were seeking an assurance he would desist. | |
"If they do not receive these assurances that this behaviour will stop, they will then consider options of legal action," he said. | "If they do not receive these assurances that this behaviour will stop, they will then consider options of legal action," he said. |
Our correspondent added that the man had been warned off last week by royal protection officers and that he had also been spoken to "over a number of years" about his behaviour. | Our correspondent added that the man had been warned off last week by royal protection officers and that he had also been spoken to "over a number of years" about his behaviour. |
However, lawyers for the photographer Niraj Tanna have issued a seven-page letter contesting the claims. | |
The letter says Mr Tanna strongly objects to what calls "the groundless allegations". | |
'Fully entitled' | |
It says he did not "see, pursue or photograph" the prince or his nanny and adds that it is "wholly without foundation" to accuse him of following or spying on them. | |
It goes on to say that press photographers are "fully entitled" to take images in public places such as parks, and that any legal action will be "vigorously contested". | |
It adds: "He will continue to undertake his work with the concerns of the Prince's parents very much in mind." | |
Since his birth in July 2013, the royal couple have posed for a number of official photographs with Prince George. | Since his birth in July 2013, the royal couple have posed for a number of official photographs with Prince George. |
He has also been pictured accompanying his parents on state visits and with the palace's consent at other events. | He has also been pictured accompanying his parents on state visits and with the palace's consent at other events. |
The statement from the Kensington Palace says: "The duke and duchess understand the particular public role that Prince George will one day inherit but while he is young, he must be permitted to lead as ordinary a life as possible." | |
It added: "No parent would tolerate the suspicion of someone pursuing and harassing their child and carer." | |
Alleged harassment | |
Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo was named as the prince's nanny in March when the palace appealed for her privacy to be respected. | |
The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) editors' code of practice states that young children "must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents". | The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) editors' code of practice states that young children "must not be interviewed or photographed on issues involving their own or another child's welfare unless a custodial parent or similarly responsible adult consents". |
IPSO replaced the defunct Press Complaints Commission last month. | IPSO replaced the defunct Press Complaints Commission last month. |
Before the royal couple married, the Middleton family raised privacy concerns about alleged harassment by press agency photographers. | Before the royal couple married, the Middleton family raised privacy concerns about alleged harassment by press agency photographers. |
And in 2012, lawyers for the pair also took action against French gossip magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of the duchess. | And in 2012, lawyers for the pair also took action against French gossip magazine Closer for publishing topless photos of the duchess. |