The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Security may be needed to protect MSPs
Security guards could be sent to surgeries alongside MSPs after the death of MP Sir David Amess, while members may be offered self-defence training under new plans from the Scottish Parliament.
Holyrood is responsible for the security of MSPs, and a new “project” has been launched to look into the possibility of sending guards to protect members.
In an update from the parliament’s head of resilience and sustainability, Lynsey Hamill, MSPs were told of the development along with the offer of training and security advice.
Sir David was killed last month while at a surgery in his constituency in Essex, prompting renewed concerns over the safety of politicians.
Ms Hamill wrote: “The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) recognises that safety at surgery meetings is of particular concern right now.
“It has therefore commissioned a project that will assess whether we might centrally provide security operatives to accompany members at surgery meetings.
“Most likely such a service would require a procurement exercise to give us external personnel to call upon across the country, but we shall engage widely with members to assess potential demand and, if required, how best such a service might work.”
The parliamentary security office has also been asked to look into giving self-defence classes or deescalation training to MSPs.
“The SPCB also requested that the security office look into some form of self-defence and/or de-escalation training,” Ms Hamill said.
“Equally, the corporate body is understandably concerned that none of us should put ourselves in harm’s way.”
The SPCB – a group of cross-party MSPs who deal with the day-to-day running of the parliament – agreed “in principle” that police should inspect the homes, offices and Edinburgh residences of members, with the recommendations implemented to boost security.
While the inspections will not be mandatory for members, Ms Hamill said: “We anticipate most members would want to make use of this service. A project has been established to take forward implementation.”