I’ve had your back for 15yrs Harry but you’re wrong about media not supporting veterans, says maimed war hero Ben McBean
A MAIMED marine whose plight touched Harry as they were flown from the Afghan war has hit out at the Prince’s attack on the media.
Brave Ben McBean, 36, said: “I had his back for 15 years. On this one he’s wrong.”
Roadside bomb victim Ben was among badly-injured troops Harry saw when a curtain blew back as they were airlifted from the war zone.
Harry tells his latest Netflix series that the horrific scene inspired him to campaign for veterans — while accusing the Press of failing to cover their plight.
But in an exclusive interview, 36-year-old Ben, from Plymouth, pours out his dismay and disbelief over his former comrade’s claims.
He said: “I have had his back for 15 years. I’ve always championed him but it doesn’t mean I have to agree with everything that comes out of his mouth. On this one the Duke of Sussex is wrong.
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“I can say, hand on heart for a fact, that the British media — and especially The Sun — did cover the stories of veterans. One of the only positives post-injury was how the media supported the troops.
“They didn’t write us off and told the world about us and our disabilities. Thanks to The Sun, everyone was wearing a Help for Heroes wristband.”
Harry described Ben as “the real hero” as he was flown out of the war zone in 2008 following a US website leaking that the Prince was serving out there.
The pair stayed in touch and Harry gifted Ben cases of beer as he recovered, and backed his successful campaign to ramp up his Ministry of Defence compensation.
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Ben, who lost his right leg and left arm in Helmand, needed ten months of rehab at Headley Court Military Hospital in Surrey.
In 2007, a year before Harry’s tour, ex-Royal Green Jacket Bryn Parry and wife Emma launched Help for Heroes when they realised Headley Court needed a swimming pool for wounded vets.
The Sun joined forces with the fledgling charity and with readers’ help raised nearly £8million for a pool and gym at the centre, before setting up recovery centres used by 27,000 veterans.
Harry and brother William visited Ben at Headley Court in 2008.
Ben said: “I have seen Harry lots of times over the years. He has brought me beer and ‘Get well soon’ cards when I have been sick.
“My mum, dad and uncle have met him and William. I think Harry is cool but I am a 36-year-old man and I don’t agree with him. The papers and the media explained why the war was on and why you were going to see amputees walking in your local city.
“The whole country knew about us. I’ve nothing bad to say about the media supporting the military.”
Former Royal Marine Ben won the Overcoming Adversity Award at The Sun’s Millies Awards in 2009 and was pictured with Harry at the ceremony at the Imperial War Museum.
Ben added: “The Sun’s Millies awards gave us a ‘Thank you’ and it really helped.”
Harry’s claims were bashed by Mark Elliott, of Help for Heroes, which has raised £370million for armed forces personnel.
Mark said: “The life of our servicemen and women would not be as it is today without the incredible support of not only The Sun but also your parent company News UK.
“What started as four or five volunteers in a tin hut in 2007 turned into Help for Heroes, which has helped 27,000 servicemen and women and veterans.
"There’s little doubt that it wouldn’t have happened without The Sun and the media. Their support not only changed the playing field, it changed the whole stadium for sick and injured servicemen and women and their families.
“When Harry and William were pictured wearing Help for Heroes wristbands by The Sun they helped to promote the work of Help for Heroes. Our servicemen and women would be in a very different place without your help.
“Our heroes have climbed Everest, they have rowed the Atlantic, they are now Olympians.
“I can think of thousands who have benefited from Help for Heroes being on the front page of a national newspaper.”
SAS hero Andy McNab has branded Harry’s claims as “offensive rubbish”.
And the commander of British forces in 2008, ex-Chief of Staff Lord Richard Dannatt, echoed the late Queen by saying: “Recollections may vary.”
Harry was a guest at The Sun’s televised Millies Awards honouring the bravest of the brave for years after his own tour of duty.
He and wife Meghan’s £80million Netflix deal includes his latest five-part series “Heart of Invictus” where his media slur was aired.
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It tells the stories of wounded veterans competing in his Invictus Games, which he revealed he was inspired to launch the day he saw wounded Ben in 2008.
The Prince had not corrected his comments, or responded to the criticism by war veterans, heroes and UK military chiefs last night.
Harry leapt on Sun's campaign
By Arthur Edwards
PRINCE Harry should remember he leapt on to The Sun’s bandwagon to support wounded veterans — not the other way round.
In 2007 — before Harry went to Afghanistan — The Sun was doing everything to support the fledgling charity Help for Heroes.
I photographed Prince William at the England sports centre, St George’s Park in Derbyshire, wearing a Help for Heroes wristband.
I was desperate to get Harry to do the same. He was on the Isle of Wight and I waited for him at Portsmouth.
His press officer did not think the picture would be possible and gave me the indication that Harry wasn’t interested.
How wrong he was. When Harry stepped off the boat and I asked him to wear the wristband, he said “Give it to me”, put it on his arm and held it up in triumph.
Even though the light was fading it was one of the best pictures I did of a celebrity wearing this tribute to our injured heroes.
Harry was so enthusiastic to help us promote the cause. So, I was amazed to see him griping on Netflix about feeling abandoned.
He only had to pick up the phone and he could get the best people available in the world to help him.
When I see severely wounded servicemen still smiling I wonder what has Harry got to complain about?