Security shake-up follows Murdoch attack

A NEW security chief could be appointed to protect parliament at Westminster, after an investigation into the foam-pie attack on Rupert Murdoch during his appearance before a Commons committee blamed a “serious failure of planning”.

The media mogul was hit with the pie in July, while giving evidence to a committee investigating the phone-hacking scandal at the News of the World.

Commons Speaker John Bercow said there was “inadequate” security in the committee room.

Serjeant at arms Jill Pay, the official in charge of security at the Palace of Westminster, last week announced she would retire in January.

In a statement, Mr Bercow said the review of the foam-pie incident had recommended that creating a post of “director of security” should be reconsidered.

Mr Bercow said he would begin discussions about “whether this merits further attention and could complement existing roles”.

Mr Bercow commissioned the independent review of security arrangements after Mr Murdoch was attacked while appearing before the culture, media and sport select committee.