A significant security breach at the Palace of Westminster saw an intruder access the heart of the parliamentary estate before being apprehended by a vigilant workman, it has been revealed.
Details of the Parliamentary Intrusion
The incident occurred on Sunday 30 November at around lunchtime. According to reports, the individual, not believed to be a protestor, gained entry by climbing onto the roof of the Parliamentary Education Centre at the southern end of the palace.
He then proceeded, unchallenged, into the main building and all the way to the Cholmondeley Room, a historic reception venue within the House of Lords. The trespasser roamed freely until he was spotted by workman Luke Alsford, who immediately raised the alarm.
The breach is particularly alarming as it happened despite a new £4.5 million security fence being installed along the boundary of the parliamentary grounds just months earlier. The intruder managed to evade both armed police officers and round-the-clock guards.
Official Response and Charges
Neither Scotland Yard nor Parliament officials publicly announced the security lapse at the time, leading to accusations that authorities attempted to hush up the event. A House of Lords spokesman later confirmed the breach, stating that security arrangements were "urgently reviewed and enhanced" following the incident.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called at 13:04hrs on the day. Devon Dorrall, 23, of Tilehurst, was arrested and subsequently charged on Monday, 1 December with trespass on a protected site. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the next day and was remanded in custody.
The suspect is next due in court for a plea hearing on 30 December. Officials stated that the intruder did not come into contact with any staff or members of the House.
A Pattern of Security Concerns
This mishap adds to a string of recent security failures at the parliamentary estate. In November, two men were arrested in connection with a mobile phone hidden in the House of Commons, allegedly intended to disrupt Prime Minister's Questions.
Furthermore, in March of this year, a barefoot man climbed Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower and waved a Palestinian flag, remaining there for over 16 hours before being arrested. These consecutive incidents raise serious questions about the robustness of security measures at one of the UK's most iconic and sensitive sites.
