United Kingdom House of Commons Security Fears as Thieves Raid Offices of Members of Parliament

Security in the mother of all legislatures is not as good as it could be.

A House of Commons security row has erupted before the State visit of United States President Obama.

In the latest beach, the high profile Chairman of the Home Affaires Select Committee, returned to his office to find his researcher’s computer had been stolen.   Thieves strolled into his private office while he was at a Commons reception, even though it is in a corridor reserved for senior Members of Parliament.

The Member of Parliament in the next door office lost a laptop at the same time and had previously had his passport stolen from his desk. However, there were no video cameras in the area to record the person who might have been responsible.

One Member of Parliament was of the opinion that if thieves can take away a laptop without any person noticing, they could also plant a package.

The Commons is protected by airport-style security screening at all entrances. However, there have been a series of lapses where protesters have got in.