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Couple breach Downing St security | Couple breach Downing St security |
(30 minutes later) | |
A couple managed to bypass security measures and walk straight into Downing Street, it has emerged. | A couple managed to bypass security measures and walk straight into Downing Street, it has emerged. |
Obadiah Marius, 44, and his girlfriend walked through a government building on neighbouring Whitehall without being checked, a No 10 spokesman confirmed. | Obadiah Marius, 44, and his girlfriend walked through a government building on neighbouring Whitehall without being checked, a No 10 spokesman confirmed. |
The route allowed them to avoid the wrought iron gates installed to protect the prime minister from bombers. | |
Mr Marius was charged by police but his girlfriend was released. His lawyers say he made a "genuine mistake". | Mr Marius was charged by police but his girlfriend was released. His lawyers say he made a "genuine mistake". |
Restricted area | Restricted area |
Visitors to Downing Street are normally subjected to security measures including checks on identity and screening with airport-style scanners. | Visitors to Downing Street are normally subjected to security measures including checks on identity and screening with airport-style scanners. |
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Mr Marius and his partner walked into 70 Whitehall, which houses the Cabinet Office. | The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when Mr Marius and his partner walked into 70 Whitehall, which houses the Cabinet Office. |
The pair found themselves at the rear of the building, which backs on to Downing Street, without being challenged. | The pair found themselves at the rear of the building, which backs on to Downing Street, without being challenged. |
They had circumnavigated the gates installed by Margaret Thatcher to thwart terrorists during the IRA bombing campaign in the 1980s. | They had circumnavigated the gates installed by Margaret Thatcher to thwart terrorists during the IRA bombing campaign in the 1980s. |
The pair were arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. | The pair were arrested under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act. |
Mr Marius, from east London, appeared before magistrates on Thursday. | Mr Marius, from east London, appeared before magistrates on Thursday. |
A government spokesman confirmed the pair had been detained in Downing Street, but said they had not gained access to No 10 itself or got anywhere near the prime minister's office. | A government spokesman confirmed the pair had been detained in Downing Street, but said they had not gained access to No 10 itself or got anywhere near the prime minister's office. |