Security costs of UK royals cannot be made public, judges rule

The judges ruled that publishing the overall bill for providing protection, such as armed bodyguards and patrols at royal homes, could encourage would-be attackers. Photograph: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters

Judges on a freedom of information tribunal have ruled that the cost of protecting members of the royal family cannot be revealed to the public.

The two judges made their decision after hearing detailed evidence behind closed doors from a senior Home Office official. They ruled that this secrecy prevented them from explaining in their public judgment fully why they had accepted the official’s evidence.