A security alert was issued in Parliament after a man was caught prowling a House of Lords car park and a bow and arrow was discovered in his vehicle.
Police seized the intruder and arrested him on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, tampering with a vehicle and breaching organised crime laws
One peer told the Standard that they had been warned to be “vigilant” by security following the incident last Wednesday.
It is alleged that the man had been attempting to climb scaffolding to gain entry to the House of Lords near Abingdon Street and Black Rod’s Garden just after 6am on September 25.
A Met Police spokesman said: “A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon at approximately 6.15am on Wednesday, September 25 in the vicinity of the Peers Car Park.
“A bow and arrow were found in his car at the location.
“He was further arrested for breaching Serious Organised Crime and Police Act legislation and vehicle interference.
“He was subsequently sectioned under the mental health act and remains in the care of medical professionals.
“He has been bailed pending further enquires to a date in late December in relation to the criminal investigation.”
The House of Lords and House of Commons are in recess between Friday September 13 and Monday October 7 for party conferences, meaning a limited number of MPs and peers are in working in the buildings.
A House of Lords spokesperson said: “An incident in the vicinity of peers’ car park was handled swiftly by the Metropolitan Police.
“The security of everyone on the Parliamentary estate remains our foremost priority.
“We do not comment on specific security advice.”
