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Palace suspends 'tour' chauffeur Palace suspends 'tour' chauffeur
(about 6 hours later)
Buckingham Palace has suspended a chauffeur after undercover reporters claimed to have gained access to highly sensitive areas of the building.Buckingham Palace has suspended a chauffeur after undercover reporters claimed to have gained access to highly sensitive areas of the building.
A palace spokeswoman told the BBC that an investigation would be carried out into allegations that Brian Sirjusingh was paid £1,000 to give them a tour.A palace spokeswoman told the BBC that an investigation would be carried out into allegations that Brian Sirjusingh was paid £1,000 to give them a tour.
Two reporters from the News of the World newspaper are said to have been waved inside, without security checks.Two reporters from the News of the World newspaper are said to have been waved inside, without security checks.
It is alleged one of them sat in the Queen's state Bentley car.It is alleged one of them sat in the Queen's state Bentley car.
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said he understood Mr Sirjusingh was a pool chauffeur - one called when the dedicated royal chauffeurs are unavailable.BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt said he understood Mr Sirjusingh was a pool chauffeur - one called when the dedicated royal chauffeurs are unavailable.
Royal garageRoyal garage
The News of the World reports the journalists posed as Middle Eastern businessmen and were waved into what were supposed to be secure areas of the Queen's home.The News of the World reports the journalists posed as Middle Eastern businessmen and were waved into what were supposed to be secure areas of the Queen's home.
According to the paper, the men were led past a police checkpoint and a sign demanding to see identification, and into the royal garage.According to the paper, the men were led past a police checkpoint and a sign demanding to see identification, and into the royal garage.
It could easily have been a terrorist walking into the palace and planting a bomb Robert JobsonNews of the WorldIt could easily have been a terrorist walking into the palace and planting a bomb Robert JobsonNews of the World
Once inside, Mr Sirjusingh showed them several vehicles used by members of the royal family and allowed one reporter to sit in a Bentley used to transport the Queen on state occasions, the paper said.Once inside, Mr Sirjusingh showed them several vehicles used by members of the royal family and allowed one reporter to sit in a Bentley used to transport the Queen on state occasions, the paper said.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are naturally concerned about the issues raised by this story and are liaising with palace officials about their staff security arrangements."A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are naturally concerned about the issues raised by this story and are liaising with palace officials about their staff security arrangements."
The newspaper's royal editor, Robert Jobson, told the BBC that lessons should have been learnt from previous security breaches.The newspaper's royal editor, Robert Jobson, told the BBC that lessons should have been learnt from previous security breaches.
He said: "There have been a number of security breaches at the palace over the years but this is right up there in terms of being a flagrant breach of the security.He said: "There have been a number of security breaches at the palace over the years but this is right up there in terms of being a flagrant breach of the security.
"They should have been checked as they walked in but they weren't and therefore it could easily have been a terrorist walking into the palace and planting a bomb in the car rather than the News of the World exposing the poor security of the palace.""They should have been checked as they walked in but they weren't and therefore it could easily have been a terrorist walking into the palace and planting a bomb in the car rather than the News of the World exposing the poor security of the palace."
Buckingham Palace said it was taking the matter "very seriously".Buckingham Palace said it was taking the matter "very seriously".
'Fundamental failure''Fundamental failure'
Dai Davies, who was head of royal protection in the 1990s, said he thought the incident was "pretty serious".Dai Davies, who was head of royal protection in the 1990s, said he thought the incident was "pretty serious".
No-one should be allowed in without absolute proof of identity Dai Davies, former head of royal protectionNo-one should be allowed in without absolute proof of identity Dai Davies, former head of royal protection
"It seems almost impossible to believe that somebody could access this particular part of the royal premises with such ease," he told the BBC."It seems almost impossible to believe that somebody could access this particular part of the royal premises with such ease," he told the BBC.
"It does seem to be a fundamental failure in system and supervision."It does seem to be a fundamental failure in system and supervision.
"No-one should be allowed in without absolute proof of identity and those identities should be pre-arranged and pre-checked.""No-one should be allowed in without absolute proof of identity and those identities should be pre-arranged and pre-checked."
In recent years there have been a number of high-profile royal security breaches.In recent years there have been a number of high-profile royal security breaches.
In 2003, Daily Mirror reporter Ryan Parry spent two months working undercover as a Buckingham Palace footman.In 2003, Daily Mirror reporter Ryan Parry spent two months working undercover as a Buckingham Palace footman.
He used a false reference to get the job despite unprecedented security surrounding the visit of US President George Bush to the UK.He used a false reference to get the job despite unprecedented security surrounding the visit of US President George Bush to the UK.
The same year, during Prince William's 21st birthday, comedian Aaron Barschak set off six alarms and appeared on CCTV several times without sparking a response when he gatecrashed a party at Windsor Castle.The same year, during Prince William's 21st birthday, comedian Aaron Barschak set off six alarms and appeared on CCTV several times without sparking a response when he gatecrashed a party at Windsor Castle.