Protect Big Ben

The week's news at a glance.

London

The new anti-terrorism barriers put up to protect Parliament from car bombs could actually increase fatalities from a blast, according to a government report leaked this week. The concrete blocks around the building, installed less than a year ago, could shatter, creating a barrage of “lethal projectiles” that would kill passersby. Intelligence experts at MI5 recommended instead that a “ring of steel” be erected around the entire Parliament compound. The leaked report was greeted with howls of derision. “Turning Parliament into a fortress,” said opposition MP David Davis, “means the terrorists have won.”

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us