Speaker Lindsay Hoyle told the Commons the three men who were arrested did not have passes granting them full access to the parliamentary estate. Yet Taylor’s presence will raise questions about the current access arrangements for guests of those who do hold passes.
A parliamentary spokesperson said: “Parliament is a public building, and we facilitate the visits of thousands of people to the estate each week. We have robust security processes in place, with the safety and security of all those who work in and visit Parliament our top priority. Members in both Houses can sponsor events on behalf of external individuals, UK registered charities, companies and organizations (including APPGs), in accordance with their own judgment. We provide advice to Members to make them aware of potential risks, however we cannot comment on our security processes or measures.”
Non-passholders must be escorted while on the parliamentary estate by a passholder at all times. Members of the U.K. parliament can bring guests into many areas of the estate, including the on-estate pub Strangers — which was subject to tightened security last year following a drink-spiking allegation reported by POLITICO.
Under current rules, invitees to events in parliament are not individually vetted. MPs or peers are seen as effectively vouching for them.
In the wake of the recent arrests, Hoyle urged MPs’ staff to report any “unusual approach” from foreign agents and to review guidance issued in 2025 on how to identify and report foreign states targeting the U.K. parliament. Lawmakers have been warned to be more vigilant about those trying to gain access to Westminster.
Taylor was arrested by counter-terrorism police on March 4 on suspicion of assisting the Chinese foreign intelligence service and remains under investigation. The Metropolitan Police also declined to comment.