Intruder slips past guards to breach Houses of Parliament in broad daylight

The man gained access by climbing over the roof of the Parliamentary Education Centre on the southern side of the palace, per the Mail.

He is then understood to have made it as the Cholmondeley Room, a reception venue within the House of Lords, without being apprehended.

A workman, who was carrying out maintenance on the historic sight, raised the alarm.

Police made an arrest and a man was later charged with trespass over the incident which took place on a Sunday lunchtime last month.

Neither Scotland Yard nor Parliamentary authorities announced the security breach, suggesting they wanted to avoid any embarrassing publicity.

A new fence was put up along the boundary of the parliamentary estate just months ago, but it was not enough to prevent the break-in.

An insider told the Mail: “After £10m on a door and other works which is still not fully operational, at least £4.5m on a high security fence it is a complete embarrassment that someone can just climb in and get so deep into the site before being stopped by a workman.

“No wonder it has been kept secret.”

A House of Lords spokesman said: “We can confirm a member of the public was arrested for trespassing on the Parliamentary Estate on Sunday 30 November.

“This is being dealt with by the Metropolitan Police. Following the incident security arrangements were urgently reviewed and enhanced measures put in place.”

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed: “Police were called at 13:04hrs on Sunday, 30 November to the Palace of Westminster where they arrested an intruder.

“He did not come into contact with any staff or members of the House.

“Devon Dorrall, 23, of Tilehurst, was charged on Monday, 1 December with trespass on a protected site.

“He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the following day where he was remanded in custody.”

The man is due in court again for a plea hearing on December 30.