A security breach of the UK Houses of Parliament near Christmas occurred with a group of Russian diplomats, engaged in a tour open to the public, breaking into a locked area in the House of Lords. Although soon discovered and sent out by the security personnel on duty, the fact has caused panic among UK officers regarding the parliamentary estate’s security.
According to reports, the diplomats tried to penetrate the forbidden area of Parliament to brag to the Kremlin about the unauthorized access. The incident, although harmless, sent shivers down the spines of the government ministers and prompted private warnings from the Speakers of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. MPs and peers were told not to invite Russian diplomats to Parliament.
Russian diplomats, such as the Russian ambassador and embassy staff, have not been allowed into Parliament since 2022 due to Moscow’s sanctions that followed the invasion of Ukraine. However, it has pointed to the ever-present risks for Parliament, with its security under attack by foreign powers every day.
The Speakers of both Houses, Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Lord McFall of Alcluith, issued written reminders to MPs and peers, warning them to exercise caution when interacting with Russian diplomats. They pointed out that no Russian officials should be welcomed into Parliament, as security arrangements remain in place since the Ukraine invasion.
The breach rekindled some of the debates about the Parliament’s vulnerability to espionage, even after the incident of Christopher Cash-a former researcher convicted of spying on behalf of China. Ministers have warned that Russia may escalate their cyber-attacks in the UK further, and these are some factors that call for vigilance.
