PM questions security role decision
21.01.10
Gordon Brown has said Edinburgh Airport must take security seriously. The message came in PArliament yesterday after it was announced that the airport has axed its dedicated security chief despite the growing threat of terrorism. The responsibility for security will instead fall to the terminal manager, who is also in charge of day-to-day airport running.
The Prime Minister was responding to concerns raised by Liberal Democrat MP John Barrett, who represents Edinburgh West. Mr Barrett questioned the wisdom of the move, but a spokesman for the airport has pointed out that a similar arrangement is already in place at Glasgow Airport, and that security and safety are a priority.
Mr Barrett asked the Prime Minister during question time: ‘Edinburgh Airport, which is very close to his [Mr Brown's] constituency, announced this week that they are planning to abolish the post of head of security. Will he contact BAA and the Civil Aviation Authority to find out what's going on?’
Mr Brown replied: ‘The important thing is that Edinburgh Airport take seriously their responsibility for security and I think we're both agreed exactly on that. Every airport in this country will be responding to the demand for these tighter security measures.’
The move to axe a dedicated security chief has been criticised by airport security experts. Norman Shanks, a former head of security at BAA, told the Scotsman newspaper: ‘This seems odd. The two jobs of security manager and terminal manager go hand in hand, but usually you have different heads. There will need to be safeguards to ensure there is no compromise as a result of the change.’
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