06 December 2023 , 09:21
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Prince Harry has been accused of "bragging" about and "encouraging" illegal drug use in his debut memoir Spare, according to a new court filing.
The Duke of Sussex shocked the world when he admitted to taking cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in the book. Many critics questioned how he was allowed entry into America and a conservative Washington DC think tank sued the Department for Homeland Security (DHS) in an attempt to force officials to release Harry's US immigration files.
The Heritage Foundation brought the lawsuit against the DHS after a Freedom of Information Act request was rejected - claiming it was of "immense public interest". The Biden administration has pushed back, arguing visa applicants have a right to privacy.
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Prince Harry has been accused of 'bragging' about using illegal drugs (AP)In new court documents filed at the Federal Court in the District of Columbia, which were obtained by Newsweek, the Heritage Foundation said: "[The case] comes about in the main because HRH [His Royal Highness] voluntarily - and for immense profit - admitted in writing to the elements of any number of controlled substance violations. (Indeed, some say HRH has approached the point of bragging and encouraging illegal drug use.)
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"The Duke of Sussex did so despite the fact that it is widely known that such admissions can have adverse immigration consequences for non-citizens and despite employing preeminent legal advisors on both sides of the Atlantic."
The documents added: "But that is not all. This case is further bespoke in that HRH - again for immense profit - detailed his immigration decisions and manner of entry in writing and via Netflix video. Add to that the fact that all aspects of HRH's travel are extensively covered in the press."
He spoke about taking drugs in his memoir (SplashNews.com)In the filing, the Heritage Foundation said Harry's attempts to claim "privacy interests" had led to "public ridicule". The filing continued: "The Duke of Sussex must take the good with the bad. Having sold all manner of private matters for profit - including specific details on his taking up residence in the United States and every detail of his years of illegal drug use to the point of braggadocio - HRH must accept a substantially diminished privacy interest."
In response to the think tank's initial submissions that Harry's US visa application should be released, lawyers on behalf of DHS said the Heritage Foundation "have not demonstrated possible government misconduct or any other public interest that would overcome Prince Harry's privacy interest in these records".
In his controversial memoir, Harry spoke about his past cocaine use and admitted it "didn't do anything for me". He added: "Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me."
The Heritage Foundation's lawsuit argues that US law "generally renders such a person inadmissible for entry" to the country. In the DHS's response to the legal claim, they said: "Much like health, financial, or employment information, a person's immigration information is private personal information.