Extra security for MPs held up by expenses red tape

Requests for panic alarms and CCTV uncompleted for five months because of bureaucracy involved

‘Anyone could see that if they want to retain the confidence of MPs they have a lot of work to do’

MPs have said they are being left exposed to potential attackers in their constituencies because Parliament’s expenses body is taking too long to ap- prove requests for extra security. Politicians told The Daily Telegraph that requests for panic alarms and CCTV have gone uncompleted for up to five months due to the bureaucracy involved.

Demands that MPs get two quotes for security changes have frustrated rural MPs who say there are not enough suitable firms in their area.

They are calling for Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), the expenses body, to streamline applications for security packages in the wake of Jo Cox’s killing. Theresa May, the Home Secretary, yesterday met MPs in Westminster to hear their security concerns after last week’s tragedy, with representatives of IPSA and the Metropolitan Police.

According to one attendee, frustration was directed at IPSA, which was criticised for being “bureaucratic, cumbersome and slow”. The source added: “Anyone in the room would see that if they want to retain the confidence of MPs they have a bit of work to do.”

The Telegraph revealed last week that as few as one in six MPs have opted into the new packages, launched in January. Some complained that the paperwork for getting payment for the items – which include panic alarms and checks from locksmiths – was too involved.

There are also concerns that police forces across the country deliver different packages of security for each MP without liaising with other regions. Chris Bryant, the Labour shadow Commons leader, called for co-ordination between police forces, as well as centralised recording of threats against MPs to spot trends across the country.