C4 film shows Taliban capture of Prince Harry

Channel 4 is to broadcast a dramatised documentary imagining the capture of Prince Harry by Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

The Taking of Prince Harry, a 90-minute film, will depict scenes in which Prince Harry, played by actor Sebastian Reid, is subjected to a mock execution and forced to appear in propaganda videos. At one point, the prince comes face-to-face with a British jihadi training in Afghanistan.

The film includes interviews with intelligence analysts and former hostages and imagines how negotiations would pan out.

Critics have already attacked the premise of the documentary with former SAS man Andy McNab writing in the Sun: "What these people forget is there is still a war going on. This comes at a bad time and is in bad taste."

Others have suggested that the programme would give militants ideas. The broadcaster's head of documentaries, Hamish Mykura, dismisses such objections, saying: "I think it is just wrong to say that this would create a new idea that wasn't there already."

Prince Harry served in Afghanistan for 10 weeks from 2007 amid a media blackout. But his cover was blown by several websites and he flew home in February 2008 because the risk of his capture was too great. Harry, whose nickname in Afghanistan was 'bullet magnet' has since spoken of his wish to return for another tour of duty.

Channel 4 said: "The Taking of Prince Harry raises questions about the far-reaching ramifications for Britain should Prince Harry be granted his wish to return to Afghanistan and be captured - and asks if Britain is prepared for this potential ransom note."

A Clarence House spokesman told the Mirror: "We are not prepared to comment on this work of fiction. Speculating about the security of Prince Harry, both as a serving member of the Armed Forces and a senior member of the Royal Family, is unhelpful." He said Harry knew about the programme, adding: "His reaction is private."

The Taking of Prince Harry, Channel 4, will be broadcast at 9pm on Thursday October 21.  ·