Thousands of security passes for Ministry of Defence buildings vanish in last 12 months
THOUSANDS of security passes for entry to Ministry of Defence buildings have gone missing in the last 12 months.
A total of 3,531 were lost in the period while 285 were stolen, sparking a warning from one leading expert of a “terrorist risk”.
They give access to MoD establishments nationwide and are used by 250,000 personnel.
MPs have called for an official probe into how the passes went missing.
Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Every lost pass is a security risk so it’s alarming the MoD loses nine a day, especially at this time with threats to the UK increasing.
“There is nothing more important than the defence of our realm. The Tories need to get a grip.”
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Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney added: “Ministry of Defence security passes in the wrong hands could jeopardise British citizens and our national security.
“Ministers should launch an official inquiry into how these passes were lost, whether secure sites have been compromised and what risk this could pose.”
Former Navy chief, Admiral Lord West of Spithead, insisted the issue was “not something that should be taken lightly”.
He added: “It is a security risk, but also a terrorist risk.”
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Defence Minister Andrew Murrison said: “All security incidents are fully investigated so the impact can be assessed and mitigated, root cause determined and lessons identified.
“Any security pass reported as lost is immediately deactivated.
“The Government takes the protection of information extremely seriously.”
He added that ministers were examining measures to reduce further losses.