The House of Commons had to be suspended during prime minister's question time due to a purple powder been thrown at Tony Blair.

This security breach comes weeks after a £600,000 security screen was installed. How much?

It looks like Blair will be requiring a new jacket. :D

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/3728617.stm

The British security services really don't have a clue when it comes to protecting the Royal Family, the Prime Minister etc. Even after 9/11 and everything else that has happened, they still seem to only react to attacks - rather than predict them! Whilst I agree with those who think the USA are OTT on security - I still think we could do we taking things a little more 'seriously'... :rolleyes:

Yes, the security around the queen also seems ot have failed again.

At least there will be one job advertised in Thursday's Star.

Head of Securtiy - House of Commons

Got your CV ready DaBouncer?:D

It was the Fathers4Justice people fighting for equality.They shouldn't have done something like that,not with the terrorism scares going on at the moment,however it does show a massive breach in security.

Originally posted by sarah_d
It was the Fathers4Justice people fighting for equality.
Presumably had loads of purple talc they don't get to use on their babies' bums? Of course if they had access rights they'd have their hands far too full to get involved in high jinx like this.

Here's a little more on the screen http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3650969.stm

Do you not think the reaction has been just a little bit over the top? A couple of guys, guests of a Labour peer, throw a bit of coloured talcum powder around and we get this from Blunkett:

"Thank God it has not led to danger and fatality"

I'm sure if we all had ID cards such a terrible, terrifying incident would never have happened :D

Originally posted by Greenback
Do you not think the reaction has been just a little bit over the top? A couple of guys, guests of a Labour peer, throw a bit of coloured talcum powder around and we get this from Blunkett:

"Thank God it has not led to danger and fatality"

I'm sure if we all had ID cards such a terrible, terrifying incident would never have happened :D

Ha ha! Or a local assembly probably... :D

Why do people get so upset about these things... I think Blair's got what's coming to him, although I am surprised they were able to get through the security - you'd think a large bucket of talcum powder would be fairly obvious in any personal searches...!

People do get very worried about attacks like this.No-one knew what the powder was and he is the most likely person in Britain to be attacked,of course he was scared what with the likes of anthrax and the threat of chemical warfare.

Originally posted by Agent Dan
Why do people get so upset about these things... [...] although I am surprised they were able to get through the security
I think you answered your own question there ^

hehe ;)

Well, ok, yes I probably did. But really, Blair's had it coming... I'd be more worried about the £600k they spent on 'security'... proves money doesn't solve problems if you ask me (which you didn't, but as usual I'll say it anyway!!)
:D

Inadvertantly this stupid prank has probably done the House of Commons a favour, as it's closed down another avenue that was open for potential terrorists, after all not every weapon will register with a metal detector nor will explosives.

Originally posted by fuzzy
Got your CV ready DaBouncer?:D
Protect Tony Blair.... LMAO.... as if!

I think this is really serious. I hope those two get sent down for a long time. They arranged with a member to let them into the gallery, which isn't unreasonable. Then they make their juvenile stunt as if they are the most imnportant people in the world, with no regard to the current concerns over terrorism. They have abused the system totally and made it harder for anyone else to get access to Ministers. Lock them up and let them stew.

Originally posted by Smiler
I think this is really serious. I hope those two get sent down for a long time. They arranged with a member to let them into the gallery, which isn't unreasonable. Then they make their juvenile stunt as if they are the most imnportant people in the world, with no regard to the current concerns over terrorism. They have abused the system totally and made it harder for anyone else to get access to Ministers. Lock them up and let them stew.

i actually admire the 2 guys who did it wish i had the guts to do it myself what we should be talking about is theres dads out there me included who dont see there children because of the laws of this country maybe we should be locking up the judges instead:loopy: :loopy: :loopy: :loopy:

Originally posted by Smiler
I think this is really serious. I hope those two get sent down for a long time. They arranged with a member to let them into the gallery, which isn't unreasonable. Then they make their juvenile stunt as if they are the most imnportant people in the world, with no regard to the current concerns over terrorism. They have abused the system totally and made it harder for anyone else to get access to Ministers. Lock them up and let them stew.
What are you going to "send them down for a long time" for? Throwing talc in a manner likely to require suit brushing?

I think MP's should be thanking them for highlighting a breach in security. Clearly they need to extend the screen to make it much more difficult for terrorists to wipe out half the government in one swoop.

I don't see what the fuss is? Why is this "stunt" going to make it harder for the public to have contact with their MP's? Nobody actually makes contact by shouting at them from the House of Commons public gallery do they?!?

Originally posted by panda79
i actually admire the 2 guys who did it wish i had the guts to do it myself what we should be talking about is theres dads out there me included who dont see there children because of the laws of this country maybe we should be locking up the judges instead:

It's the overall political context in which they have done this that is the issue for me. I don't know much about Fathers for Justice and maybe that have a good point to make. But at a time of suicide bombers, threats of chemical attack and high tension this act was irresponsible. There are plenty of other ways of gaining publicity. This act was just juvenile.

Originally posted by Zamo
What are you going to "send them down for a long time" for? Throwing talc in a manner likely to require suit brushing?

I find it hard to believe that they didn't think that people's first reaction was that this would be a chemical attack. They are exploiting fears about terrorism. I would feel the same if someone rang claiming to be from the IRA and threatened to bomb Parliament but was only hoaxing.

Originally posted by Zamo
I think MP's should be thanking them for highlighting a breach in security. Clearly they need to extend the screen to make it much more difficult for terrorists to wipe out half the government in one swoop.

Agreed.

Originally posted by Zamo
I don't see what the fuss is? Why is this "stunt" going to make it harder for the public to have contact with their MP's? Nobody actually makes contact by shouting at them from the House of Commons public gallery do they?!?

These two were guests of a member of the House of Lords. Until now, you could ask your MP to arrange for you to visit Parliament and usually they would and you would usually get to meet the MP.

Originally posted by Smiler

These two were guests of a member of the House of Lords. Until now, you could ask your MP to arrange for you to visit Parliament and usually they would and you would usually get to meet the MP.
True, but this shouldn't stop. All that needs to happen is for the screen to be extended to completely seal the public off - they can still see and hear what is going on.

Who cares if it scared a few people at a time of hightened terrorist threat? They highlighted a breach in security that could have had serious repercussions for this country. They also increased awareness of their cause. Well done, I say.