§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to the circumstances in which a man was apprehended on the roof of 10 Downing street on Friday 13 December; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the circumstances surrounding the apprehending and subsequent release of an unnamed man on the roof of 10 Downing street during the night of Friday 13 December.
§ Mr. HurdI have now received a report from the Commissioner. At 8.13 pm on Friday 13 December, a security alarm system was activated at 10 Downing street. Officers of the Metropolitan police on duty there chased a man found on the roof. The man climbed down to Horse Guards parade where he was arrested at 8.16 pm.
The Metropolitan police conducted a thorough search of the roof area of 10 Downing street and adjacent buildings, as well as neighbouring streets and open spaces. Nothing was found.
In the absence of any evidence that any criminal offence had been committed and after police inquiries about the individual concerned and into the incident generally, the man was released without charge at 7.50 pm on 14 December.
Although the alarm system and the police response were effective, it is a matter of concern that the man was able to reach the roof of 10 Downing street. It would not be right on security grounds to go into detail about the arrangements to protect that building, but I have set in hand an urgent review of this incident in order to ensure that any necessary improvements are undertaken immediately, and that the security arrangements for the complex of buildings adjoining 10 Downing street, which are occupied by several Departments, are adequately co-ordinated.