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18/05/2004
Royal security under scrutiny after intruder arrests
Royal security is under the spotlight again today after an intruder was arrested close to the Queen's apartments at Windsor Castle yesterday evening.
The man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer within the grounds of Windsor Castle at around 4pm. A woman who was accompanying him was also arrested.
There were no royals in the castle at the time of the incident, but the Queen is reported to have been staying, up until yesterday lunchtime, in an area close to where the man was apprehended.
Tory frontbencher David Davis has called on the Home Secretary David Blunkett to take full responsibility for the latest security scare. Mr Davis also pressed for the creation of a Homeland Security Minister – mirroring the post occupied by Tom Ridge in US – who could focus exclusively on royal protection issues.
The Shadow Home Secretary said: "It beggars belief that within a year, we have a third major breach of Palace security which comes almost immediately after the appointment of Brigadier Jeffrey Cook as head of Royal security and after an extensive and expensive security review."
He added: "The Home Secretary must take responsibility for this and must now recognise that the case for a separate Minister for Homeland Security is unarguable.
"If David Blunkett cannot protect our Head of State, how can he be expected to provide protection for the whole of the British public against terrorism threats."
Royal security had to be reassessed recently after two serious breaches of security illustrated how vulnerable the British monarchy could potentially be to terror attack.
Last June, comedian Aaron Barschak, dressed as Osama Bin Laden, managed to gatecrash Prince William's 21st birthday at the castle. Barschak was able to gain admittance to the bash and rub shoulders with senior royals, before being detected.
The second breach occurred in November when it was revealed that Mirror journalist Ryan Parry had gained employment in the palace – exposing not only lax security vetting procedures but also the Queen's dining habits, which include taking her breakfast porridge from a plastic Tupperware bowl.
In response to mounting concerns, it was announced earlier this month that Brigadier Jeffrey Cook would come in as the new head of royal security, and revamp security procedures and tighten up vetting checks.
(gmcg)
The man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a police officer within the grounds of Windsor Castle at around 4pm. A woman who was accompanying him was also arrested.
There were no royals in the castle at the time of the incident, but the Queen is reported to have been staying, up until yesterday lunchtime, in an area close to where the man was apprehended.
Tory frontbencher David Davis has called on the Home Secretary David Blunkett to take full responsibility for the latest security scare. Mr Davis also pressed for the creation of a Homeland Security Minister – mirroring the post occupied by Tom Ridge in US – who could focus exclusively on royal protection issues.
The Shadow Home Secretary said: "It beggars belief that within a year, we have a third major breach of Palace security which comes almost immediately after the appointment of Brigadier Jeffrey Cook as head of Royal security and after an extensive and expensive security review."
He added: "The Home Secretary must take responsibility for this and must now recognise that the case for a separate Minister for Homeland Security is unarguable.
"If David Blunkett cannot protect our Head of State, how can he be expected to provide protection for the whole of the British public against terrorism threats."
Royal security had to be reassessed recently after two serious breaches of security illustrated how vulnerable the British monarchy could potentially be to terror attack.
Last June, comedian Aaron Barschak, dressed as Osama Bin Laden, managed to gatecrash Prince William's 21st birthday at the castle. Barschak was able to gain admittance to the bash and rub shoulders with senior royals, before being detected.
The second breach occurred in November when it was revealed that Mirror journalist Ryan Parry had gained employment in the palace – exposing not only lax security vetting procedures but also the Queen's dining habits, which include taking her breakfast porridge from a plastic Tupperware bowl.
In response to mounting concerns, it was announced earlier this month that Brigadier Jeffrey Cook would come in as the new head of royal security, and revamp security procedures and tighten up vetting checks.
(gmcg)
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