Prince Andrew launches shock bid to win back £3m a year armed security after Priti Patel backs his demand

DISGRACED Prince Andrew has launched a bid to win back his £3million-a-year taxpayer-funded armed security detail.

The Duke of York, 63, was stripped of of police protection after paying millions to settle a civil sex assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre.

But The Sun can today reveal the royal outcast is fighting back, despite being banished from frontline duties — and has won the backing of former Home Secretary Priti Patel.

She has emailed King Charles’s top aide suggesting a review of the duke’s protection “could be something to consider”.

Ms Patel also referred to the ditching of Prince Harry’s security detail.

But Charles’s private secretary Sir Clive Alderton has no power over royal security arrangements — and Ms Patel was forced to apologise to the King when her approach was leaked yesterday.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward said last night: “The King will be deeply embarrassed by this — the issue is so controversial he won’t go anywhere near it.

“Ms Patel should have known he has no power over these decisions.

“Her meddling was deeply unwise and deeply unfair on The King — and will damage Andrew’s cause, not help it.

“And the bottom line remains, why should the public pay £3million a year to protect a man who rarely leaves his home?”

Ms Patel’s intervention came after she discussed Andrew’s security woes with his PR guru pal Mark Gallagher.

She refused to say who she emailed — but apologised to the King when we revealed Sir Clive’s name had been leaked.

Ms Patel, 51, said: “It is disappointing that this correspondence has been leaked into the public domain and I apologise to His Majesty for the embarrassment and difficulties the publishing of this correspondence has caused.”

Buckingham Palace and the Home Office were asked for comment.