Royal security breach report makes 'disturbing reading'

Met Commissioner Sir John Stevens has described as "disturbing reading" the findings of a report into the breach of security by self-styled "comedy terrorist" Aaron Barschak at Prince William’s 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle.

The report, published today, highlighted a "series of errors" that resulted in a serious breach of security at the royal residence on June 21st.

The Met, he said, was "devastated" by the security lapse – as it represented "operational and human failings and should not have been allowed to happen".

At the Met’s request Commander Frank Armstrong of the City of London Police conducted an independent external investigation into the circumstances of the incident and his findings have been passed to Buckingham Palace and St James’s Households, the Home Secretary and Thames Valley Police.

The report makes 28 recommendations to improve and enhance security measures. The Met "fully accepts" all those directed at the service and more than half have already been implemented or are nearing completion.

The Commissioner particularly welcomed the suggestion that legislation on intrusion into royal premises be strengthened with a new law making such trespass a criminal offence.

"Overall the report demonstrates that no single individual was entirely to blame – the compounded sequence of events that occurred combined operational deficiencies with elements of poor professional judgement. This incident has served as a grave wake-up call and we must now ensure the right steps are taken so that security cannot be breached in this way in the future," said the Commissioner.

A number of the review’s recommendations relate to the planning and co-ordination of royal events. Core to the Met’s response is the introduction of a new risk assessment model for event planning which will improve security plans and command structures and provide "better command resilience".

An internal investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards. Notification has been issued to eight officers that they are subject to disciplinary investigation and it is anticipated the investigation might be complete in the autumn.

(gmcg)