Sahar Mourad
Legal

Security concern after intruder spends night just metres from Queen

An intruder who was given access to the Army Barracks by soldiers who protect Queen Elizabeth has sparked a security concern.

The man, who claimed to be a priest, told the soldiers that he was a friend of the padre to the Coldstream Guards at the base. 

Soldiers allowed the man into the Victoria Barracks on Sheet Street - the week the Queen was away at Sandringham for Easter - despite not providing any form of ID.

He was given a bed and spoke to the soldiers about “how he had worked as an ejector-seat test pilot and had donated some of his organs”.

The next morning, after the intruder was given breakfast, the soldiers raised the alarm.

Police attended the barracks just hours before the Queen was due to return to Windsor Castle and removed him from site. 

The fake priest however was not arrested and is believed to have been suffering from mental issues.

"Officers attended and removed the intruder from the barracks. No further action was required," a Thames Valley Police spokesman told The Sun

Ex-Met Police commander John O’Connor said the palace should already be on “full alert” as they counteract threats.

“The timing is very serious. They should already be on full alert for the Jubilee.

“We are still under a continuing threat from terrorists, It’s this lackadaisical attitude which leads to disasters.”

Image: Getty

Tags:
Queen Elizabeth, Windsor Castle, Victoria Barracks, intruder