Prince William in policing bill row

London, July 19 (ANI): A former head of Britain's royal protection squad has said that the taxpayers of north Wales should not have to pay to protect Prince William if he chooses to live off an RAF base.

Dai Davies had made the comments after it was reported that the policing bill could cost up to 1.4million pounds should William decide to live off the Anglesey base.

"I don't think the ratepayers of north Wales should be paying it, I think it should come out of central funds allocated to protecting the royals which are currently in excess of 50million pounds," the BBC quoted Davies, a former head of Scotland Yard's royal protection squad, as saying.

"There clearly are difficulties in protecting what is a remote cottage wherever that is, and it adds an extra strain on those whose duties whoever it is to protect the royal.

"He is much safer in the RAF camp where he can be protected by RAF police and those trained to do it.

"It does add a burden to others but that's what we have when we have a monarchy.

"He is considered a high risk and the police have to protect him," he stated.

Davies said there should be a debate about which of the 21 royals should be entitled to taxpayer-funded protection.

"In William's case, it is necessary," he added.

Metropolitan (Met) Police chief Paul Stephenson suggested the budget for protecting VIPs and members of the Royal Family may be cut.

A Clarence House spokesman said: "It is not unusual for an officer of Williams age and rank to live off base for reasons of privacy." (ANI)