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Security review to be launched following threat at Parliament

Author
Barry Soper,
Publish Date
Fri, 27 May 2016, 5:15AM
Suspicious truck on Parliament forecourt (Jacinda Ardern).
Suspicious truck on Parliament forecourt (Jacinda Ardern).

Security review to be launched following threat at Parliament

Author
Barry Soper,
Publish Date
Fri, 27 May 2016, 5:15AM

UPDATED 10.56am Security is to be reviewed at Parliament after streets around the building were blocked off by police as a man threatened to blow up his ute on the forecourt.

MORE: Parliament in lockdown due to protestor on forecourt

The incident delayed Bill English's arrival at a media briefing on the Budget yesterday.

The ute driver was apparently protesting his treatment in the banking system.

The man was arrested yesterday and has been charged with arson. 

Prime Minister John Key said the security scare was disturbing.

"I think it's reasonably distressing that you can get somebody drive onto the forecourt, with the limited information I have, with a car that potentially could have been used as some sort of explosive device. Parliamentary security I think will have to go away and look at that."

Parliament security head Jonathan Howe said the incident is being view seriously.

The offender, he said, gave up without a fight.

"The individual did attempt to ignite a substance inside the vehicle. Our staff actually reacted very quickly - they noticed and identified the vehicle onto the precincts."

"Clearly it's a very serious matter and security is of paramount importance, but equally as accessibility, and that's the challenge that we've got is how do we keep parliament safe and secure, but at the same time ensure that there's maximum accessibility to the democratic process."

The man will appear in the Wellington District Court today.

 

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