Experts back royal security boss

A terrorist could have gained access to President Bush

Security experts have welcomed the appointment of a head of royal security in the wake of a journalist's infiltration of the palace.

Brigadier Jeffrey Cook will co-ordinate the Royal Household, Home Office, police and other security services' role in royal security.

But one expert queried the choice of a military man rather than an ex-police officer with experience in protection.

Brig Cook's appointment pre-empted the publication of a royal security review.

Ken Wharfe, former royal protection officer to Princess Diana, said the new post of head of royal security was a "very good idea".

But he told BBC News 24: "I'm slightly concerned that this is yet another senior military official that's been recruited into the palace.

This episode, following so soon after the Windsor Castle breach, demonstrated an astonishing complacency Charles Shoebridge Anti-terrorism expert

"I would have thought this was a post ideally suited to somebody from a police protection security background, given where we sit now globally in 2004, with terrorism high on the agenda.

"If you were to recruit a police officer then he or she has access to all the expertise, all the information and the evidence that the police service has gathered over many years."

Mr Wharfe said having the right people looking at job applications was important.

"Let's have trained personnel working there. Having somebody with a trained eye would have identified something wrong in Parry's application."

Secret documents

Security analyst and former counter terrorism officer Charles Shoebridge told BBC News Online it should not have taken the actions of a tabloid reporter and a six-month commission to reveal what was an obvious security flaw.

"As an intelligence officer, in order to handle secret documents I had to pass extensive background checks in a lengthy process of positive - also known as extended - vetting. Yet for someone to have direct access to the Queen and visiting heads of state, nothing similar was required.

"This episode, following so soon after the Windsor Castle breach, demonstrated an astonishing complacency among those responsible for royal security - particularly given the realities of the post 9/11 world."

He added: "At a time of intense physical security, it was clear that the only realistic prospect of a successful terrorist attack against the Queen or President Bush would have been by gaining some form of privileged inside access.

"So, for the police to imply that, although they were responsible for the Queen's protection, vetting was someone else's problem, simply cannot be acceptable - and it is in this context that the appointment of a new security chief from outside the police should perhaps be seen."