Security at Holyrood now so tight even MSPs can’t get in
IT IS part of a £2 million, high-tech security upgrade at Scotland’s parliament building.
But the new biometric entry system, which requires a fingerprint and a parliamentary pass before you can get through, is stopping more than terrorists.
Exasperated MSPs and staff are also struggling to get in – complaining that the technology does not work if it is raining.
They say that if their fingers are wet then the biometric pad cannot read their prints.
One parliament insider said: ‘This
‘It’s a stupid system and should be binned’
is a classic case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Previously, double security gates and round-the-clock guards were more than enough. Now, some officious parliament penpusher has decided that we need biometrics, too. It takes three times as long to get into the building and leaves MSPs and staff queuing halfway up the Royal Mile. It’s a stupid system and it should be binned.’
Another source said: ‘While it’s good the parliament is updating its safety arrangements, it would be better if they’d checked the fingerprint machines worked smoothly, in all weathers, before putting them in. It’s Scotland, after all.’
Last week, Scottish Greens co-con- vener Patrick Harvie branded the new system a ‘dystopian nightmare’, adding: ‘It doesn’t work, it takes ages. This is technology that’s making getting in and out of the building worse, more difficult and more timeconsuming. Can we just rip it out?’
Scottish Conservative interim leader Jackson Carlaw defended the scheme, saying: ‘Many people were handing back their pass to allow other people into the building who didn’t have a pass, and that presented serious security risks.’
Scottish Tory chief whip Maurice Golden welcomed improved security but said: ‘Authorities need to remember taxpayers will not tolerate an expensive, bungled approach.’
A Scottish parliament spokesman could not provide the specific price of the biometric gates, saying it was part of a wider security upgrade costing £1,937,072.
He said the fingerprint recognition was not at fault, adding: ‘Our contractor is implementing a fix to a voltage issue which has been identified with the external pass readers.’