Alarm over Westminster asbestos

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/7511756.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Meirion Jones BBC Newsnight

A spoon was used to wedge the door shut and try to prevent asbestos fibres blowing out

MPs and staff are being exposed to dangerous asbestos in the Houses of Parliament according to a report commissioned by the Parliamentary authorities.

The report found that the Palace of Westminster authorities were not taking their responsibilities seriously despite constant reassurances to parliamentarians that the problem had been dealt with.

All over the buildings contaminated ventilation ducts were not sealed or even locked but were left open so staff could get to light switches or were used for storing vacuum cleaners and other items.

In the kitchens there was a particular problem with a ventilation shaft which was so contaminated that it should only be entered by asbestos teams wearing full protective clothing and breathing masks.

Contaminated ventilation ducts around the building were not sealed

Instead of being sealed or even locked the door was often left open to cool the kitchens blowing dangerous asbestos fibres into the rooms.

The only security on the door was a dessert spoon wedging it shut.

According to Bernard Murphy of the medical technology magazine Clinica all visitors to the Houses of Parliament have been "exposed to potentially high levels of asbestos contamination despite warnings from experts monitoring the situation".

The asbestos report was produced for the Parliamentary Works Services Directorate by Goddard Consulting.