Parliamentary chiefs are investigating the perplexing case of a fox that managed to navigate fences, security personnel, and closed doors to reach an office within Portcullis House. The animal was discovered in the stationery cupboard of former minister George Freeman's office on a recent morning.
Staff provided the fox with water before animal experts were called to safely remove it. The circumstances of the fox's entry into Portcullis House remain a mystery, prompting officials to review CCTV footage to determine its route and whether security protocols, including the securing of doors and windows, were followed.
The Parliamentary estate is equipped with significant security, including 24-hour armed protection and guards. Access to different areas is controlled by passes, requiring repeated authentication to move through doors. Insiders noted the unusual nature of the fox's journey, suggesting it would have needed to open doors and ascend multiple flights of stairs.
Former minister George Freeman shared images on social media depicting the fox near a desk and on a shelf. He stated that his staff ensured the animal was "watered and relaxed" before it was "escorted off the premises by animal experts." The fox was subsequently released in the Victoria Tower Gardens area.
A spokesperson for the House of Commons confirmed the incident, stating that the animal was safely removed from the estate. The spokesperson emphasized the ongoing efforts to maintain the safety of Parliament for visitors, staff, and parliamentarians, and to promptly address any identified issues.
While rodents like mice are a common sight within the extensive Westminster estate, with annual pest control costs exceeding £100,000, the presence of a fox inside the buildings is considered highly unusual. Officials have characterized the event as an "isolated" incident with no indication of a recurring problem.
This episode follows other recent security concerns within Parliament, including an instance where a visitor reportedly hid in a toilet and emerged later, and another incident involving an intruder who reached deep inside the House of Lords before being apprehended.
