MPs' security chief says cutbacks put Commons at risk

Adrian Nonyelu, 53, alleges that staff cutbacks have jeopardised security at the site, which includes the House of Commons and House of Lords.

He claims MPs could be at risk and, at times, only one security officer is responsible for the entire site.

Mr Nonyelu, who earns £50,000 a year as a Palace security office manager, has made the allegations as part of a race bias claim against his employer, the Metropolitan police.

Mr Nonyelu is in charge of 24 officers, who patrol the estate. The cutbacks saw three security office managers working each shift reduced to two on early and late shifts and only one at night.

Mr Nonyelu, who has worked at the Palace since 1985, said: "In my view as a long-serving officer, the pre-policy rota strength, at three managers per shift, was the minimum necessary to ensure adequate security." The police chief in charge of security has since admitted that staffing levels are "unsatisfactory" and he is in talks with authorities to boost numbers.

In recent years, there has been a series of security breaches in the Commons. In 2004, fathers' rights protesters threw purple flour bombs at then Prime Minister Tony Blair and, in a second incident, five anti-hunt protesters stormed into the Chamber during a debate.

Mr Nonyelu said he was treated in an "openly racist manner" by white colleagues and the rota changes victimised black officers. He is demanding £30,000 for loss of earnings and injury to feelings.

He said police justified the cutbacks by the need for "financial constraints" but said a 2007 review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary found more security was needed. He said: "At a time when the estate was on terrorist alert, with publicly known security breaches, and with no demand from the estate for reduced security costs, the terms in which police justified the policy were hard to understand." 

The Met insists the changes were cost effective and in no way compromised security. But in legal papers, Met Chief Superintendent Ed Bateman admits the number of security officer managers has recently been increased and more staff are still needed.

A Met spokesman today denied Mr Nonyelu's claims. He said: "We do not recognise the situation described and will defend the claim." The tribunal claim is due to be heard this year.