The Hindu : `Comedy terrorist' exposes security chinks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003

International

International

`Comedy terrorist' exposes security chinks

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON JUNE 23. The man, who gate-crashed into Prince William's fancy-dress birthday party at Windsor Castle on Saturday in one of the most serious security breaches involving the royal family in decades, was a stand-up comedian trying out an Osama bin Laden gig ahead of his appearance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Aaron Barschak (36) calls himself a "comedy terrorist" who revels in hijacking high-profile entertainment events. But this was his most audacious act yet, and he set alarm bells ringing through the security establishment, even prompting calls for the resignation of the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, who was expected to make a statement in Parliament. Scotland Yard apologised for what was widely seen as an inexcusable security lapse.

Not only did Mr. Barschak, looking like Osama complete with a flowing beard, manage to break through several layers of the security cordon around the Castle, but got on to the stage, snatched the microphone from Prince William and started to make a speech chanting: "I am Osama, I am Osama."

It took securitymen and the guests sometime to realise that there was an intruder in their midst, and as he was whisked away, Prince William joked: "I didn't know my brother could do such an accent."

Earlier, Mr. Barschak sailed past the security in style. He chatted to a police officer and greeted the photographers. "Happy birthday. I am from Africa. I am out of this world. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the heir," he said and pranced around to show off his dress. Being a fancy-dress party with guests dressed up in a variety of African dresses to reflect the "Out of Africa" theme, it was relatively easier for him to mingle in the crowd without raising suspicion.

"It was unbelievably simple. I'm amazed I got in. Royal security is not at all what I expected," he boasted to a tabloid newspaper this morning.

The incident, which deeply embarrassed the police and the Government at a time of heightened nationwide security alert, is regarded as the worst security breach since 1982 when a man managed to sneak into the Queen's bedroom and actually sat on her bed before he was caught. The then Home Secretary, William Whitelaw, offered to resign, an example which many want Mr. Blunkett to follow. Mr. Barschak's father, who is a property developer, said he had no idea that his son planned to do such a thing but insisted that "he is not a nutter...he is just a zany character with a zany sense of humour."

But on this occasion he certainly overdid the act, but also exposed the chinks in the security.

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