Top MoD guard faces AXE to cut costs despite ‘INEVITABLE’ terror attack on British soil
AN ELITE police unit that guards the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could be disbanded despite fears of a terror attack.
The Ministry of Defence Police are facing being stood down despite a serious terror threat
The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) were almost stood down from their protective role at the Westminster building in order to cut costs, according to an MoD source.
But Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, Commissioner of the Metropolitan police, has said the possibility of an ISIS-inspired terror attack on the capital is a case of “when, not if”.
The top unit guards the MoD's headquarters on Whitehall
This would put the public and the building’s staff at greater risk
The source said: “This decision will be seen as an own goal, leaving the building defenceless to a lone wolf attack.”
The MDP is tasked with guarding military establishments across the country – including Britain’s nuclear deterrent Trident.
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They also provide plain-clothes policing at the MoD’s London headquarters on Whitehall and at key Tube stations.
Jim Gillen, vice-chairman of the Defence Police Federation, which represents the MDP, denied the claims the guard will be axed.
The MoD has 2,395 financial staff but spent an eye-watering £91million on financial consultants and lawyers last year.
But the Army has reportedly cut 18,000 personnel in recent years, while the RAF has chopped 6,000 and the Navy got rid of 3,000.