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24/06/2003
Blunkett slams 'appalling' Royal security
In a speech about Royal security to the Commons today, Home Secretary David Blunkett attacked the "appalling failure of security" that allowed a man dressed as Osama bin Laden to gatecrash Prince William’s 21st birthday bash at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
Mr Blunkett went on to offer his "deep regret" to the Royal family over the incident that he said "should not have happened".
He added that Mr Barshak had got "unacceptably close" to Prince William, after the 36-year-old climbed a tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle and jumped onto the castle wall in order to attend the prince’s party uninvited.
A senior commander from the City of London police is conducting an investigation into the security breach, and according to Mr Blunkett, the report would be available in four weeks.
Self-styled ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barshak claims that he was able to stroll around the castle’s grounds unchallenged by police, before being given directions to the party by a contractor. On stumbling upon the celebrations, Mr Barshak insisted that he kissed the Prince on both cheeks, before going to the bar for champagne when his actions were deemed suspicious.
Mr Barshak told the Daily Mail today: "I was just yards away from the Queen and Prince Charles. If I had been a real terrorist the entire Royal Family would have been wiped out."
He was arrested by police and later released on bail.
(MM)
Mr Blunkett went on to offer his "deep regret" to the Royal family over the incident that he said "should not have happened".
He added that Mr Barshak had got "unacceptably close" to Prince William, after the 36-year-old climbed a tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle and jumped onto the castle wall in order to attend the prince’s party uninvited.
A senior commander from the City of London police is conducting an investigation into the security breach, and according to Mr Blunkett, the report would be available in four weeks.
Self-styled ‘comedy terrorist’ Aaron Barshak claims that he was able to stroll around the castle’s grounds unchallenged by police, before being given directions to the party by a contractor. On stumbling upon the celebrations, Mr Barshak insisted that he kissed the Prince on both cheeks, before going to the bar for champagne when his actions were deemed suspicious.
Mr Barshak told the Daily Mail today: "I was just yards away from the Queen and Prince Charles. If I had been a real terrorist the entire Royal Family would have been wiped out."
He was arrested by police and later released on bail.
(MM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
