Russian diplomats accessed a non-public space of parliament in a serious safety breach simply earlier than Christmas that has alarmed safety officers and prompted personal warnings from the audio system of each homes, the Guardian understands.
The small group of diplomats joined a public tour of the Homes of Parliament after which broke off to enter part of the Home of Lords that was out of bounds, earlier than they have been discovered by safety and thrown out.
“We suspect they were just wanting to crow to the Kremlin that they had infiltrated the British parliament. It’s not ideal but they were caught before any damage was done,” a parliamentary supply stated.
UK authorities ministers, nonetheless, have been stated to have been alarmed by the try and breach parliamentary safety, which is known to have occurred late final yr.
Because of the try, MPs and friends have been given a written warning to not invite Russian diplomats to parliament. It’s unclear whether or not the group have been on a guided tour sponsored by a politician, or in the event that they requested one from the parliamentary guests’ service.
The Russian ambassador, diplomats and officers primarily based on the embassy in London have been banned from visiting parliament since 2022 when Moscow imposed sanctions on many MPs and friends after the invasion of Ukraine.
The Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the Lords speaker, Lord McFall of Alcluith, on Thursday privately reminded MPs and friends that they need to be cautious about Russian efforts to penetrate parliamentary safety.
In separate letters, the audio system wrote: “With a number of new members joining the house recently, I would like to take this opportunity to remind colleagues of the ongoing arrangements which have been in place since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“As the formally accredited representative of the Russian government, the Russian ambassador should not be welcomed on to the parliamentary estate until further notice. This applies to all other Russian diplomats and officials at the Russian embassy accredited to the UK.”
A parliamentary spokesperson stated: “The safety and security of all those who work and visit in parliament is our top priority. However, we cannot comment on our security measures.”
However the breach will as soon as once more elevate questions concerning the safety of parliament, which the Guardian understands comes underneath common tried assault by international powers.
Christopher Money, a former parliamentary researcher, is one in all two males as a consequence of stand trial for spying for China in breach of the Official Secrets and techniques Act this autumn. He pleaded not responsible at an earlier court docket listening to.
The federal government minister Pat McFadden, whose position consists of accountability for nationwide safety, warned in November that Russia was prepared to hold out cyber-attacks on the UK and different allies in an try and weaken help for Ukraine.
The audio system’ joint warning got here as Keir Starmer made his first go to to Kyiv as prime minister, saying the UK would help Ukraine “beyond this terrible war” and right into a future the place it’s “free and thriving again”.
He added that “right now Putin shows no signs of wanting to stop” his “unrelenting aggression”. The purpose was dramatically underscored by a Russian drone flying over Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s workplace in Kyiv whereas the 2 leaders have been in the midst of talks. Loud booms have been heard as Ukrainian air defences tried to shoot it down.
The Russian embassy has been approached for remark.
