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| Security licence body chief quits | Security licence body chief quits |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The chief executive of the government body which licenses bouncers and other security workers has resigned. | The chief executive of the government body which licenses bouncers and other security workers has resigned. |
| Mike Wilson, head of the Security Industry Authority, stepped down after it emerged that some of its own agency staff had not been security cleared. | Mike Wilson, head of the Security Industry Authority, stepped down after it emerged that some of its own agency staff had not been security cleared. |
| Home Office minister Alan Campbell said plans were being made to replace Mr Wilson following "some failings". | Home Office minister Alan Campbell said plans were being made to replace Mr Wilson following "some failings". |
| Last year, it emerged that the SIA had wrongly given licences to more than 6,600 illegal immigrants. | Last year, it emerged that the SIA had wrongly given licences to more than 6,600 illegal immigrants. |
| And in October, the National Audit Office accused the authority of overspending by £17m and failing to keep track of who exactly was working in the security sector. | And in October, the National Audit Office accused the authority of overspending by £17m and failing to keep track of who exactly was working in the security sector. |
| Mr Campbell said there had been failings in the SIA's compliance with Home Office requirements for security clearance. | Mr Campbell said there had been failings in the SIA's compliance with Home Office requirements for security clearance. |
| He said that 38 temporary workers hired by the SIA had not received "appropriate security clearance" before starting work. | He said that 38 temporary workers hired by the SIA had not received "appropriate security clearance" before starting work. |
| In a statement to MPs, he said: "All permanent SIA staff have confirmed security clearance. We will continue to contribute to public protection through regulation Ruth Henig Security Industry Authority | In a statement to MPs, he said: "All permanent SIA staff have confirmed security clearance. We will continue to contribute to public protection through regulation Ruth Henig Security Industry Authority |
| "It became clear, however, that some agency workers had not received appropriate security clearance before commencing employment with the SIA." | "It became clear, however, that some agency workers had not received appropriate security clearance before commencing employment with the SIA." |
| Mr Campbell said the 38 staff were "removed from SIA premises and had all access to SIA systems withdrawn" while security checks were carried out. | Mr Campbell said the 38 staff were "removed from SIA premises and had all access to SIA systems withdrawn" while security checks were carried out. |
| As of 0900 GMT on Thursday, he said, 32 had received clearance and the remaining six were pending. | As of 0900 GMT on Thursday, he said, 32 had received clearance and the remaining six were pending. |
| Mr Campbell also ordered an urgent review of any decisions taken by individuals who were not properly cleared. | Mr Campbell also ordered an urgent review of any decisions taken by individuals who were not properly cleared. |
| The SIA authorises pub and nightclub bouncers, store security guards, CCTV operators and wheel clamping companies. It is also responsible for those employed in sensitive security posts such as bodyguards. | The SIA authorises pub and nightclub bouncers, store security guards, CCTV operators and wheel clamping companies. It is also responsible for those employed in sensitive security posts such as bodyguards. |
| 'Public protection' | 'Public protection' |
| In a statement, SIA chairman Ruth Henig said Mr Wilson and the authority's board had come to a "mutual agreement" that he would step down. | In a statement, SIA chairman Ruth Henig said Mr Wilson and the authority's board had come to a "mutual agreement" that he would step down. |
| "The board and I are grateful to him for all his hard work and dedication to the development of the SIA in the past year, and we wish him well," she said. | "The board and I are grateful to him for all his hard work and dedication to the development of the SIA in the past year, and we wish him well," she said. |
| "An interim chief executive will join us shortly until a permanent chief executive is recruited in the New Year. | "An interim chief executive will join us shortly until a permanent chief executive is recruited in the New Year. |
| "Our delivery to our stakeholders will not be disrupted. Working closely with the industry and our other partners, we will continue to contribute to public protection through regulation." | "Our delivery to our stakeholders will not be disrupted. Working closely with the industry and our other partners, we will continue to contribute to public protection through regulation." |
| Mr Wilson will leave his post on 13 November. | Mr Wilson will leave his post on 13 November. |
| He was appointed in 2007 and before that had run the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and the Defence Vetting Agency. | He was appointed in 2007 and before that had run the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and the Defence Vetting Agency. |
| 'Gesture politics' | 'Gesture politics' |
| The Conservatives said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had been "staggeringly complacent" about security and accused ministers of "ducking" responsibility. | The Conservatives said Home Secretary Jacqui Smith had been "staggeringly complacent" about security and accused ministers of "ducking" responsibility. |
| Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "This is a major breach of one of the pillars of our security apparatus and the second time it has happened on this home secretary's watch. | Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said: "This is a major breach of one of the pillars of our security apparatus and the second time it has happened on this home secretary's watch. |
| "Yet again she has been found trying to bury bad news rather than address the root of the problem." | "Yet again she has been found trying to bury bad news rather than address the root of the problem." |
| Mr Grieve accused the home secretary of being "fixated on gesture politics, like ID cards and 42 days" and failing to grasp security basics. | Mr Grieve accused the home secretary of being "fixated on gesture politics, like ID cards and 42 days" and failing to grasp security basics. |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne said: "This is a rare and honourable exception to the government's rule that no-one ever takes personal responsibility for anything, however damaging the blunder. | |
| "The only way of changing the culture of carelessness about security and personal data is by making sure that heads roll when failures happen." |