UK News 17-09-2004 Reporter Smuggles Fake Bomb Into Commons who: Sun reporter Anthony France what: Says he could have blown up deputy prime minister where: House of Commons, LONDON when: Yesterday snippet: "Another breach of Westminster security was revealed last night," says The Guardian, "after an undercover reporter smuggled fake bombmaking equipment into the Houses of Parliament." "Our man posed as a Commons waiter to smuggle in a fake bomb," boasts The Sun, smugly. "And just hours before Wednesday`s Commons drama he even served Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott." "I stood within 2ft of John Prescott at the House of Commons and could have blown him up on the spot," says Anthony France. "Having landed a job as a waiter using fake references, I had unfettered access to the Deputy PM as I served him drinks on Parliament`s river terrace." Meanwhile, The Times claims that a sweeping review of parliamentary security was rejected as recently as last week "because of rivalry between the Commons and Lords" and The Scotsman reports that Leader of the Commons Peter Hain has dismissed security measures at Westminster as remnants of "a bygone age". The Sun says Mr Hain admits their stunt has "done the House a favour". [... more]

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