Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

London attack shows frequently used vehicle gate may be a vulnerability

LONDON — The ease with which the attacker breached the British Parliament’s perimeter has shone the spotlight on a frequently used vehicle gate, with some noting that it might have been a weak spot for security.

Emergency services attending to the attacker (top) and the stabbed police officer (bottom) outside the Palace of Westminster. Both men later died. Photo: Press Association

Emergency services attending to the attacker (top) and the stabbed police officer (bottom) outside the Palace of Westminster. Both men later died. Photo: Press Association

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

LONDON — The ease with which the attacker breached the British Parliament’s perimeter has shone the spotlight on a frequently used vehicle gate, with some noting that it might have been a weak spot for security.

The killer managed to get into the parliamentary estate through a vehicle gate in New Palace Yard — used by the prime minister and other members of the government — because it was not locked. However, he was shot dead within 18m of the fences before he was able to access the parliamentary building.

Known as Carriage Gates, the vehicle gate is always manned by two police officers, who usually leave it slightly ajar because it is in frequent use. But if the iron double gate had simply been bolted shut, it would have been impossible for the attacker to pass.

Addressing Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Theresa May said the police, together with House authorities, are reviewing the security of the parliamentary estate. And this would be coordinated with the Cabinet Office, which has responsibility for the security measures in place around the government secure zone.

“All of us in this House have a responsibility for the security and safety of our staff, and advice is available for members who need it,” she said.

Earlier, Ms Mary Creagh, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Wakefield in Yorkshire, said: “It’s a terrible, terrible day for Parliament. The one weak spot on our estate is those Carriage Gates. We have four police officers there, two on the gate going in, two on the gate going out. We see them every day, we are friends with lots of them. I think we will need to look at security at the Palace (of Westminster) in the wake of this incident, but that is a plan for another day.”

Mr Iain Duncan Smith, a former Cabinet minister, also asked why an armed policeman was not on the gate, and said it was a “little bit of a surprise that there was not”. He said the gate was a “vulnerability” because vehicles came and went through it.

Parliamentary pass holders, who include MPs, journalists and staff, are allowed to enter the building through secure turnstiles without bag checks or scanners. Members of the public must go through security.

Despite her criticism, Ms Creagh also praised the officers on duty, saying that they were “heroes”. AGENCIES

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.