Member

In recent weeks, we have witnessed scenes in the area of Parliament which generate a real cause for concern, and this is the evidential context of what I say. On 8 March, a Saturday, a barefoot man carrying a Palestinian flag easily penetrated the allegedly secure perimeter of Parliament. He managed to climb up the Victoria Tower and stay there for 16 hours. Those who guard this place and all the cameras around it failed to detect him. Where were they? Where is this great security that I keep being told has been applied to this Palace? I do not comment on the case itself, just on the fact that this occurred. It is astonishing that nobody was quick or observant enough to prevent that very significant trespass. Despite considerable expenditure on the safety and security of this place, the danger such an event could create is self-evident. It cannot have been lost on our enemies, whether non-state or state actors.