§ Lord Graham of Edmontonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to allegations of a breach of the Prime Minister's security, reported in The Sunday Times on 29 March. [HL1384]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The planning application regarding my right honourable friend the Prime Minister's home contained details which should not have been made public for security reasons. When we were alerted to the situation, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary acted immediately to ensure that such details were no longer accessible.
The security arrangements at my right honourable friend the Prime Minister's home have been very thoroughly tested and are fully effective.
When major changes to the homes of public figures are planned on security grounds it is important that local residents who may be inconvenienced by building work are properly consulted so that their concerns can be taken into account. However, a balance needs to be struck between ensuring that local people have their say about major changes to any property and ensuring that the security of public figures is not compromised.
The Home Office, the Security Facilities Executive (SAFE) and Sedgefield Borough Council acted in good faith but the security implications of the planning 98WA documents were not fully identified and acted upon. The Home Office and SAFE have introduced new procedures to ensure that this cannot happen in any future case. In addition, other planning authorities which have similar residences have been contacted to ensure that any such risks to security may be avoided.