Who is Dai Davies? Ex-superintendent slams Meghan Markle and Harry for expecting $4.7M Megxit security detail
The Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview with Oprah on Monday, which premiered on a CBS Primetime special, has been the center of attention for almost 24 hours now. Many had opinions on what Meghan and Harry revealed —some shocking, others expected — and one of those revelations, was about security when the duo had stepped back from royal duties.
The fact that the former royal duo thought that taxpayers would help pay for their security after they had left the UK didn't sit too well with many, especially Dai Davies, a former chief superintendent who called the idea "utterly unrealistic".
RELATED ARTICLES
Who is Dai Davies?
As per Specialist Speakers, Davies is a security and investigation specialist, and the former Head of Royal Protection and former Chief Superintendent (Divisional Commander) Metropolitan Police Service. Davies, also said that should security have been given to the duo, the British police could be at risk. A Daily Mail article explained that officers from the UK can't carry guns under US laws nor can they access intelligence. Many remember when former US President Donald Trump had said that the Sussex's would not have Secret Service bodyguards that would be funded by the US when Meghan and Harry have moved to California in March 2020.
In the interview, Harry revealed to Winfrey that they have found out on "short notice" that their Met police security detail would not be servicing them. "Their justification was a change in status," said Harry.
Davies, on the other hand, who wasn't too keen on things, said, "It shows you their naivety and sense of entitlement. It was utterly unrealistic to think they could continue to have their royal protection team working in America — in fact, it would have put their [police] lives at risk." Davies was "gobsmacked" that the duo would have been okay with British taxpayers to pay an estimated $4.7 million (£4million) a year.
He added, "There is a reciprocal agreement in place with the US for occasions like official state visits, but British officers couldn’t just carry on working there, unable to bear firearms and with no access to integrated intelligence from the security services. It was unworkable. It was simply arrogant to presume they and their baby would get protection." In fact, the publication further added that when the couple had initially gone to Canada their royal protection officers were helped by Canadian mounties. But, the Canadian government later also committed that security assistance to the couple had been stopped "in keeping with their change in status."
Davies made a point based on facts and this makes sense in certain aspects considering the background he comes from. In 1995, he was appointed as the Operational Unit Commander in charge of Royal Protection for HM The Queen and the Royal Family. The publication mentions that Davie's responsibilities included Palace and Personal Protection throughout the UK and worldwide. Furthermore, during his police career, he was also responsible for or was directly involved with, command and planning for the prevention of terrorism, public disorder, violence, gang disorder, alcohol abuse, fraud, and other organized crime." His other skills included expertise in the controlling and use of firearms being a firearms officer and advanced police driver himself.
The publication also revealed that Davies has "consultancy appointments" with Oracle plc, BMW AG, Kingfell plc, Selectamark and other "high-net-worth individuals and families". He was also the Ambassador for Kidscape, the National Children’s Charity for 16 years. Additionally, he is also a visiting lecturer at Cardiff University lecturing on Ethical and Moral Leadership, on international cruise liners and an acknowledged media expert on security terrorism.