Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor 'wants taxpayer-funded security after altercation near Sandringham Estate'

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wants taxpayer-funded security following an alleged altercation near his Norfolk home last month, it has been claimed. The former prince is said to remain concerned that he is not provided enough protection and feels as though he is more at risk than other royals, who have round-the-clock security.The concerns grew after he was allegedly confronted by a balaclava-clad man near his Sandringham Estate home.Alex Jenkinson, 39, was arrested by Norfolk Police and is due to stand trial on July 29. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say He has pleaded not guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards Andrew.He pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen of blood while in custody on the same day.A source close to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor told The Telegraph: This is a clear demonstration of the fact that you cannot un-invent a member of the Royal family.Regardless of the fact that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has had his titles removed and is no longer a working royal, he still continues to face security threats.There is just as much of a risk to him from fixated individuals as there is to any active members of the Royal Family, if not more so because of all the publicity surrounding him.Despite all that has happened and is happening, he has no choice but to remain the current monarch’s brother and son of the late Queen Elizabeth II.Seven years ago, he was told to step down from his royal duties by the late Queen following his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.He has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein.LATEST ROYAL NEWSPrince Harry warned trip to the UK is a 'new tactic that could backfire'King Charles 'has an agreement' to see Archie and Lilibet for the first time in four years'Princess of Wales releases never-before-seen photos from Italy tourIt is believed the private bodyguards he now employs are former close protection officers of the Metropolitan Police – the team who would protect Andrew if he still received taxpayer-funded security.However, they are not armed, nor do they receive intelligence.GB News understands the King makes a lump sum to cover his brother's expenses, including security protection, although it is up to Andrew how the finances are allocated.A security source told the newspaper that King's younger brother had wanted his security upped for years, but faces little chance of getting it given his tarnished reputation.Lots of people have threat and risk against them, the source said. You have to earn the privilege to get security to mitigate it by the position you hold, the role you perform and the impact it would have on the national interest if you were successfully targeted.Following the alleged threat last month, royal historian Rafe Hedel-Mankoo told The People's Channel that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's current security predicament leaves the Royal Family in an uncomfortable position.However, he added that the former prince remains dumbfounded as to why he does not have the same entitlements as the rest of the family.Andrew's always believed that he's entitled to taxpayer-funded security and his titles and everything else, he said.It doesn't appear that he still understands quite why he's in the position he is in.But it's quite clear that from the perspective of the Royal Family and for the monarchy, the privileges of protection are inseparable from public service and public legitimacy – and he's lost both of those.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter