Inquiry into Sandhurst security breach
An investigation has been launched into security at the prestigious military academy after a undercover report managed to get a fake bomb into the grounds and take photos of Prince Harry.
Defence Secretary John Reid has ordered tightened security at the elite Surrey academy, where Prince Harry is studying, after a reporter wandered around for seven hours without being challenged.
The reporter pretended to be a student studying the first Gulf War and applied for access to the Sandhurst library through the academy’s website, The Sun claims.
On arriving he gave a false address, showed a credit card rather than a photo ID and even quoted an inaccurate registration number for his car, but was waved through.
When he was inside the grounds of the academy, he reportedly assembled a fake bomb with wires, a battery and a clock and carried it openly through the academy buildings.
He also took grainy footage of Prince Harry, who is currently one month into his year-long officer training course at Sandhurst.
When the reporter was finally challenged, he was asked some questions and then escorted back to the library, The Sun reports.
Dr Reid said last night: “I have demanded an immediate investigation into this serious security breach. I have instructed Sandhurst to change their procedures to prevent a recurrence.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman added: “We treat any kind of breach of security extremely seriously.”
Speaking to Radio Five Live, the paper’s managing editor, Graham Dudman, said the newspaper’s actions were intended to “expose, for the public interest, gaps in security”.
He said the investigation was prompted by a “concerned insider” worried about security inside the academy.
“What would have happened if that hadn’t been The Sun that the source had called, what if he’d called somebody far more sinister?” Mr Dudman asked.
