http://www.themovechannel.com/news/02044896-8e4d/ <http://www.themovechannel.com/news/02044896-8e4d/> Tourists banned from Big Ben over terrorism fears Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Catherine Deshayes Tourists from overseas are no longer allowed to take tours around Big Ben because of concerns over security...
Foreigners hoping to learn more about one of London's most famous icons are now banned from taking the tour due to mounting fears over terrorism. Clearance checks for foreigners which were to ensure that terrorists could not target the historic clock tower became too complex and costly. British citizens are still allowed to visit Big Ben, but must apply by writing to their MP. The tour includes a trip to the top of The Great Clock, popularly known as Big Ben but it is now no longer an option for the millions of tourists who flock to the capital each year. Michael McCann, the Keeper of The Great Clock, said the policy had to change to maintain security at the iconic London monument. He said: 'We used to get a lot of foreign tourists but you have to be a British citizen now. It just got too complicated with the security checks, as you can imagine. 'We don't do public tours but you can write to your MP with a reason for wanting to see it and they arrange a tour for you. We do a tour up to three times a day which sounds a lot but there are only 16 people on a tour.' Before taking the 75-minute tour, guests have to pass through strict security checks at Portcullis House. Under the supervision of armed police, each visitor passes through a metal detector and a wall-mounted camera takes a picture of their face before being issued with a photo security pass. They are guided around the famous tower of Parliament, learning the history of the tower, the bell and how the most accurate public clock in the world works. Keeper of the Great Clock Michael McCann by the mechanism of Big Ben The tour culminates at the top of Big Ben, looking at the clock's mechanism, the clock faces, and the bell itself. A spokesman for the House of Commons confirmed the ban on foreigners but said: 'The house does not comment in detail on security matters.' He added: 'The process involves people approaching their MP and some kind of security checks take place, based on their residency in the UK.' The UK Parliament website says: 'UK residents can arrange a tour through their local MP. However, please be advised that space is extremely limited and early booking, 3-6 months in advanced, is strongly recommended. Overseas visitors cannot currently visit the tower.' <http://www.themovechannel.com/news/02044896-8e4d/> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, discuss-os...@yahoogroups.com. -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor biso...@intellnet.org http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: osint-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: osint-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtmlYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: osint-dig...@yahoogroups.com osint-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: osint-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
