International Law

Prime Minister David Cameron and motorcycle outriders

The BBC reported that

Prime Minister David Cameron shuns police outrider use - new window">BBC - Prime Minister David Cameron shuns police outrider use

[...]

But Andy Hayman, the former head of anti-terrorism at Scotland Yard, said the decision is misguided.

He told BBC Radio 4: "I can completely understand why the new prime minister wants to have no fuss - that's consistent with his style."

'Listens to advice'

However, Mr Hayman said Mr Cameron was "missing the point" because "the outriders are not just about making a clear passage for the prime minister" but ensure that Mr Cameron, his entourage and members of the public do not inadvertently get caught up in an attack.

"Actually, they're there [so that] if there is an attack against the car they can get that principal out there very quickly and protect members of the public," he said.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "At the moment, the Prime Minister has decided to put up with the traffic like everybody else.

"That is not to say he will never use police outriders. He gets advice in terms of security and he obviously listens to advice."

See this previous Spy Blog article A couple of photos of some Police officers and VIP vehicles - whilst we still can

Spy Blog has witnessed the air turn blue with swear words and curses, as frustrated motorists and pedestrians express their resentment against the "VIPs", including junior Ministers in the previous Labour government, who had such motorcycle outrider escorts through London and other less congested towns.

These motorcycle escort police officers may be armed with handguns, but they would be of little use in a proper ambush, especially when they are dismounted on traffic control at a corner like in the photos above, or when they are using both hands to steer their motorcycles i.e. most of the time.

Even police motorcycle outriders cannot guarantee that a "VIP" armoured limousine and armed police escort vehicle will not get stuck in London traffic.

Will other Ministers in the Conservative - Liberal Democrat coalition government also eschew the use of such symbols of "us and them" power and status ?

What about the Olympic Road Network - communist style Zil lanes and corporate advertising monopoly zones ?

We note that The Sun tabloid newspaper managed to publish a photo displaying the number plate of the police Range Rover which was escorting David Cameron's Jaguar limousine, with the misleading headline PM cancels his car cop guards

Full post as published by Spy Blog on May 16, 2010 (boomark / email).