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Journalism of Courage
Amid calls for withdrawal of the security cover to former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf,a leading British daily on Friday revealed that the UK government was spending around 25,000 pounds daily for his protection.
The Metropolitan Police Specialist Protection Unit,known as SOI,has assigned a round-the clock team of at least ten men and women to protect the General who lives in a three-bedroom flat in West London,the Times reported on Friday.
Musharraf has been using the current accommodation as his base for the past four months and generally dines at the posh Dorchester Hotel.
Although,he pays for a small team of retired Pakistani commandos to protect him,the decision to provide further security was taken at a meeting of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Revec) held at the Home Office.
The Scotland Yard is concerned that any attempt on his life could lead to injury for innocent civilians if the former Pakistani President is targeted in public.
Pakistani-origin peer Lord Nazir Ahmed,who has written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson to stop using public money on this issue,has also tabled a parliamentary question about the cost of Musharrafs protection.
I think the Government needs to review Musharrafs security. There are people within Britain who could do with those extra police officers rather than a man who can afford private body guards, he said.
