STRATHCLYDE Police refused yesterday to explain the tight security
cordon imposed on a routine news conference in Glasgow attended by
Scottish Secretary Ian Lang and other senior party figures.
In an unprecedented move for an event of this sort, police imposed
strict searches on journalists' tape recorders and briefcases and
television crews' recording equipment.
When the harassed journalists, who had been escorted to a police
security line in the Moat House hotel by waiting staff, questioned the
Tory team on the necessity for security almost on a level normally
employed for national conferences, they denied having requested such
measures.
The Scottish chairman, Lord Sanderson of Bowden, admitted that police
had searched his briefcase, which prompted Mr Lang to say: ''I was
surprised, actually.''
Party officials felt later that the measures could be linked directly
to an alleged Animal Liberation Front threat reported in Scotland on
Sunday, through a source codenamed Hector, suggesting the group was
planning ''an absolutely spectacular event which will go right to the
heart of the establishment in Scotland . . . it will be unbelievable''.
Assistant Chief Constable James Richardson said: ''As you are aware it
is not the policy of Strathclyde Police to comment on operational
security matters. In this instance, however, we are satisfied that the
level of security was appropriate.''
The police later declined to expand on the statement which is bound to
lead to speculation that they regard Mr Lang, who lives in the West of
Scotland and as a Cabinet Minister qualifies for security cover, as a
potential target.
The level of security Mr Lang was accorded yesterday was in stark
contrast to that given to his fellow Cabinet Minister, Transport
Secretary John MacGregor, the previous day in Aberdeen.
As Mr Lang left the hotel his car was preceded by a support police van
full of officers and it was escorted by a second police vehicle.
Later a party official, asked if the security was linked to the ALF
threat, said: ''It is possible that it involved something of that
nature. We did not ask for any special police precautions.''
An official at the Scottish Office said: ''We have no real knowledge
of this.''
During the news conference to announce the shake-up of the Scottish
leadership team, with the appointment of three new vice-chairmen and the
retirement of two deputy chairmen (industrialists Bill Hughes and Sir
Matthew Goodwin), Mr Lang was at pains to avoid commenting on the
Lothians and Border Police headquarters break-in affair.
Asked if he had signed a warrant for telephones to be monitored or
tapped, he did not think this relevant at a news conference on new
office-bearers.
Pressed, he said it was difficult to comment since the matter was sub
judice, with Scotland on Sunday journalist Ron McKay bailed on charges
of resetting documents stolen from the police headquarters. He added:
''It is between Lothian and Borders Police and the individuals
concerned. I am keeping on eye on the situation.''
Asked about the general principle of arresting journalists, he said:
''I don't think that is a matter on which I can make a general comment.
I am not trying to avoid the issue.''
Mr Lang added that even if he commented obliquely it could be seen as
an implicit comment.
Asked then if he was concerned that the break-in should happen at the
headquarters of the force responsible for the Euro-summit security in
December, Mr Lang said: ''It is a matter of concern if any police
headquarters is broken into. The important priority is to track down and
deal with the culprits.''
On the jurisdiction of any warrant to permit telephone tapping, he
said: ''These matters are covered by parliamentary legislation. You
really have to go to the Act and see the terms of it and how it works.''
On the security that confronted him and other party officials, he
added: ''The police take their own decisions on these matters, according
to the perception of what is desirable. It is an operational matter for
them.''
The new vice-chairmen of the Scottish Tory Party are Miss Annabel
Goldie, 42, partner in a firm of Glasgow solicitors, who was candidate
at Renfrew West and Inverclyde. She will be responsible for women's
affairs and rebuilding the party's moribund youth organisations such as
the Young Conservatives and university-based bodies.
Mr Alistair Mair, 57, chairman and managing director of Caithness
Glass plc, a former chairman of CBI Scotland and a non-executive
director of Grampian Television plc, will liaise with the party's
business groups and the European election team.
Mr Jackson Carlaw, 33, managing director of a motor dealership, has
been a parliamentary candidate for Glasgow Queen's Park and Pollok. He
will have responsibility for organisation in Glasgow and West of
Scotland.
Councillor Nanette Milne, 44, a medical officer with Aberdeen Royal
Hospitals NHS Trust, retains responsibility for local government and the
North-east.
The leadership shake-up in Scotland coincides with the grassroots
organisation, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Association under
president Adrian Shinwell, committing itself to a revamp to make it a
more effective campaigning weapon.
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