Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Theresa May's travel schedule left on a train in 'serious security breach'

'Had such information reached potential terrorists it could serve to confirm their plans'

Samuel Osborne
Monday 13 March 2017 04:58 EDT
Comments
Ms May had flown from RAF Northolt, West London, to Manchester before heading to a science park in Warrington for the visit
Ms May had flown from RAF Northolt, West London, to Manchester before heading to a science park in Warrington for the visit (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Government is investigating after sensitive documents setting out Theresa May's travel plans were left on a train.

The details of the Prime Minister's schedule were found by a passenger in a blunder branded a "serious security breach".

As well as setting out transport arrangements for a visit to the North West, the two-page briefing note included the address of a hotel Ms May was booked in to work from during the afternoon.

They also outlined plans for a call to Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as well as arrangements for a "treasurers' dinner" in Altrincham.

Theresa May puts down Jeremy Corbyn on International Women's Day

The documents, discovered in the first class train carriage of a train heading for Edinburgh on the day of the visit, were handed to The Daily Mirror.

Former royal bodyguard Inspector Ken Wharfe told the newspaper leaving travel documents on a train was "inexcusable" and a "serious security breach".

He said: "In today's environment, it becomes a serious security matter when documents like this detailing the hourly movements of a protected person are misplaced. That's just not acceptable.

"Theresa May is given this protection because she is a target and so, of course, this is a serious security risk.

"These papers give a detailed assessment of her movements. Had such information reached potential terrorists it could serve to confirm their plans.

"But also, importantly, it would highlight the lapse and suggest to those with such terrorist intentions the weakness surrounding their potential target."

Ms May had flown from RAF Northolt, West London, to Manchester before heading to a science park in Warrington for the visit in January.

After meetings and questions from the media, the plan was to travel by car to The Mere Hotel in Knutsford and later fly back to London after dinner.

A Government spokesman said: "We have been made aware of claims around a Government document and will investigate accordingly."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in