Calls for review of security after protest at Prime Minister's North Yorkshire home
Members of Greenpeace were arrested yesterday
Scarborough and Whitby's MP is calling for a review of security measures after a protest on the roof of the Prime Minister's North Yorkshire home.
A number of Greenpeace members were arrested yesterday as they were against Rishi Sunak's decision to approve new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.
Sir Robert Goodwill said: "This isn't something new. The environment secretary some years ago had people digging up his lawn. I think it just makes it more difficult to persuade people to go into politics if you're going to find your personal space invaded. Fortunately the Prime Minister wasn't there. I mean, I suspect if he had been there then those people were lucky enough to not have been shot. You've got armed police protecting the Prime Minister, how do they know they aren't terrorists masquerading as Greenpeace?
"I hope they'll up the security. If you go into Parliament, you're committing a criminal offence. An MP's house is not scheduled under the anti-terrorism legislation for specific protection but I think it's outrageous that they invaded the Prime Minister's personal space.
"He'll be on holiday trying to enjoy himself and he'll be then having to sort out what's happening; have they got into the house? Have they damaged anything? Have they left anything behind? I think it's outrageous. One, the message that Greenpeace are trying to give is a misleading message and two, they should not be invading any Member of Parliament, not least the Prime Minister's personal space.
"When the Prime Minister is there, there'll be the full armed, personal protection team. I mean it may well be that they have to put more security in there and that's going to cost North Yorkshire taxpayers' money to do that, which is another waste of money. We've already spent millions and millions policing Just Stop Oil in London. The Police should be out catching real criminals, not dealing with this."
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, said: "This behaviour is illegal, unacceptable and only serves to put the public even more off these organisations and their supposed cause.
"Like most major economies, the UK is highly dependent on oil and gas and will be for decades to come while we transition to net zero. The UK is a world leader in renewable energies, such as offshore wind, but by importing oil and gas, we are left vulnerable to global circumstances as we have seen with Ukraine.
"The recently announced policies on oil and gas are not to displace renewables, but replace the energy we currently import. The Prime Minister will rightly not be deterred from ensuring the UK has energy independence and security, while also investing in renewable energy and carbon capture.
"I hope those responsible will be arrested and jailed."