[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       isn
Subject:    [ISN] 'Heads on block' over Comedy Terrorist's royal party stunt
From:       InfoSec News <isn () c4i ! org>
Date:       2003-06-24 6:26:21
[Download RAW message or body]

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=418476

[Just goes to prove the fact that you could have the BEST security
controls and experience money can buy, and it can be all fouled up
with a little social engineering.  - WK]


By Jason Bennetto
Crime Correspondent
24 June 2003

Police chiefs responsible for the security blunder at Windsor Castle
were warned last night by David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, that
their "heads are on the block" over the débâcle.

The criticism follows an apology to the Royal Family by Scotland Yard,
which admitted that it was an "appalling breach of security" to allow
a comedian dressed as Osama bin Laden to gatecrash Prince William's
21st birthday party.

The intruder, Aaron Barschak, 36, got in on Saturday night by scaling
an embankment, climbing a tree, jumping on to a wall and reaching a
terrace, the Metropolitan Police revealed. Once inside he was
confronted by a person helping with the party and taken to a
checkpoint, but officers failed to ask for a pass. He was arrested
after he snatched the microphone from Prince William.

Mr Blunkett said he was "deeply concerned" by the security breach.  
Police gave him a six-page chronology of events leading up to the
security breach yesterday. He will make a statement about the issue in
the Commons today.

He said: "There is no question that ... everyone in every position all
the way through counter-terrorism forces and royal protection know
their heads are on the block ... I think we deserve better from those
who are employed to look after our interests."

A disciplinary inquiry is also being undertaken into the actions of
royal protection officers guarding the castle. Questions will also be
asked about Commander Peter Loughborough, head of the 400-strong Royal
and Diplomatic Protection Group. The Commander, who took over in
February, is the 7th Earl of Rosslyn and the only hereditary peer in
the police service.

Mr Barschak, a self-styled "comedy terrorist", said his stunt had been
"unbelievably simple" and he was amazed he had got in. "I would rather
security gets a big kick up the arse as a result of my actions than
the whole thing just goes up in smoke," he said. "But Prince William
is a lovely boy."

Mr Barschak described how guests had laughed at him as he took centre
stage, before he kissed Prince William on each cheek and began to head
towards the bar.

"The security was just non-existent", he told the Daily Mail. "I was
carrying a bag which could have had a bomb in it. 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 bailed to return to a London police station next month.



-
ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org

To unsubscribe email majordomo@attrition.org with 'unsubscribe isn'
in the BODY of the mail.
[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]