Tensions are high over MPs’ safety with protestors outside houses and Hoyle’s claims that he broke with proper procedure on Wednesday out of fears for security. MPs are jittery when talking about taxpayer-funded security for their homes – details of what is spent on what equipment is kept private so as to not identify properties. If you knew a house was fitted with nine bedroom locks you could surmise it was Andrew Griffith‘s Westminster pad…

Poorly-performing Chubb was replaced by ADT in 2021, though they don’t appear to be doing much better. MPs complain to Guido that, when it comes to security, they “might as well not have any“. The centralised call-arounds have personnel bringing the wrong equipment, turning up late, “not finishing the job“, and demanding MPs return home for useless form-filling. For a multi-million pound contract you might expect a lock to be fitted correctly…

A Red Wall MP in Nottinghamshire tells Guido:

“An engineer came to my house to fit CCTV. One of the cameras was fitted upside down which forced me to learn how to do a headstand. Mind you, the sole engineer did the work of two men – Laurel & Hardy that is.“

MPs feel insecure on many levels…