Police chief defends officers over Greenpeace protest at PM's home

A police commissioner has defended officers over their response to a protest on the prime minister's roof.

A group of Greenpeace protesters scaled Rishi Sunak's unoccupied constituency home in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, on 3 August.

At the time, a former deputy chief constable remarked he was "absolutely astonished" at the security breach.

North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime commissioner Zoe Metcalfe said security was "nothing to do" with the force.

It remains unclear how the protesters gained access to the Grade II-listed property in Mr Sunak's Richmond constituency as he, his wife and children were on holiday in California.

The protesters said they had draped the building with an "oil-black fabric" to protest against the government's plans to allow licences to be granted for further development of North Sea oil and gas.

Mrs Metcalfe issued her defence of North Yorkshire Police to the county's police, fire and crime panel - a watchdog of councillors and experts who scrutinise her performance - after concluding a review into the incident.

Appearing before the panel for the first time since the incident, she was asked to confirm that she had reviewed the police response to the protest, especially in view of "adverse publicity" the force had received.

Mrs Metcalfe told the panel it was important they understood the Homeland Security Group, which sits at the heart of the UK's national security system, was responsible for the security arrangements for an MP's home and that it was "nothing to do with North Yorkshire Police".

She added the force's responsibility was limited to "a response to any incidents that might happen".

Mrs Metcalfe said: "I felt the response, from the call coming into the force control room, only took eight minutes to get on site, which is exceptionally good for such a rural force, and within eight hours the protesters were down off the roof, three arrests were made.

"I think the Home Office and Homeland Security were very happy with the operation that happened and I can see no fault with it at all."

Following the incident, Peter Walker, who was North Yorkshire Police's deputy chief constable in 2003, said he had been "absolutely astonished" the protesters had been able to gain access to the house and called for an investigation.

He said: "It is clearly, in my view, a major breach of security."

At the time of the incident, Assistant Chief Constable Elliot Foskett said there was "no threat to the wider public".

A Home Office spokesman said it was their "long-standing policy not to comment on security matters".

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