Scottish Parliament police to be armed with tasers

Police patrolling outside the Scottish Parliament are to carry Tasers in the wake of the Westminster terror attack.

MSPs and Holyrood staff were informed of the move in advance of an announcement from Police Scotland regarding a review of security arrangements at Holyrood.

It follows the attack by terrorist Khalid Masood, who killed four people in an 82-second rampage in London last week.

The 52-year-old was shot dead by armed police after fatally knifing Pc Keith Palmer in the Palace of Westminster’s cobbled forecourt.

In a letter to staff, Holyrood chief executive Paul Grice said: “Police Scotland will announce this morning that police officers carrying Tasers will patrol the public area outside of the Scottish Parliament building with effect from today.

“Police Scotland has assured us that the move is an operational contingency measure and is not based on any intelligence threat in relation to the Parliament or Scotland.

“Following on from the Westminster attack, Police Scotland will undertake a review of its security arrangements at Holyrood. The results of that review will be reported to the SPCB (Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body) for its consideration.”