Rishi Sunak to bolster security around his £2mn North Yorkshire home after eco-activists invaded
- The Prime Minister has submitted plans to build a 165ft fence around the border
- Application was submitted days after Mr Sunak returned from Tory conference
Rishi Sunak is beefing up security in his country mansion after eco-activists invaded the property, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The Prime Minister has submitted plans to build a 165ft fence to cut off a previously open border. The wooden fence is aimed to deter intruders at the £2 million North Yorkshire home, according to documents.
A planning application was submitted on October 11, days after Mr Sunak returned from the Conservative Party conference in Manchester – and a day after a protester gatecrashed Sir Keir Starmer’s speech and threw glitter on him.
In August, Greenpeace protesters sparked outrage by scaling the roof of Mr Sunak’s manor house and unfurling black drapes in an anti-oil protest. The eco-activists walked through an unlocked gate and strolled into the grounds, with reportedly no police or security guards on site. Five suspects were later arrested.
Mr Sunak was on holiday with his family in California at the time and Greenpeace said the stunt would not have gone ahead if the PM had been at home.
Greenpeace was blacklisted by the Government as a result of the stunt, with Ministers ordering all links to be immediately severed with the campaign group.
The Prime Minister has submitted plans to build a 165ft fence to cut off a previously open border
Four Greenpeace activists climbed on the roof of Rishi Sunak’s home in North Yorkshire today
Greenpeace activists on the roof of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s house in Richmond
Protesters covered the facade with ‘oil-black fabric’ to protest against the Government’s backing for a major expansion of North Sea oil and gas exploration.
Dai Davies, former head of Royal protection for Scotland Yard, said he was ‘absolutely gobsmacked’ the intrusion was allowed to happen.
Last night Downing Street said Mr Sunak was paying for the 4ft-high wooden fence himself. Proposals for the fence have been designed to ensure the planning application goes through quickly.
Documents submitted to the council said the fence was designed to ‘provide a simple visual and modest barrier to discourage incursion on to the residential property’.
They called on the council to make a ‘prompt decision given the simplicity of the proposals and site circumstances’.
Mr Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, bought the country pile in 2015 for £1.5 million. Last year the council approved their plans to build a heated 40ft swimming pool, along with a gym and outdoor tennis court.
Planning documents showed the pool house would also include a hot tub, utility and changing area and plant room. The couple, who have two daughters, often spend weekends at the Grade II-listed former vicarage.
The Prime Minister has previously admitted being a devotee of keeping fit on a Peloton bike and treadmill.
A No 10 spokesman refused to comment on the Prime Minister’s security arrangements.
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