A FORMER security officer for the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has been revealed as a gun-wielding “fantasist” who was reported to counter-terrorism police over “disturbing” videos.
The man was also allegedly caught carrying an “eight-inch hunting knife” to a high-security Ministry of Defence (MoD) site in June, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.
The man, who was not named, was employed by the firm Mitie, which is contracted by the Home Office to provide close protection officers, drivers and security teams for ministers and MPs who are deemed to be high risk.
Mitie’s agreement with the Home Office was introduced after the murder of the Tory MP David Amess in 2021.
The professional services firm is expected to employ security professionals who have passed stringent background checks and who hold relevant security clearances.
However, it has emerged that a Mitie employee was deployed to Badenoch’s security team in June despite allegedly being stood down from his duties at an MoD site in Cumbria just weeks prior.
It is alleged Mitie management were alerted by colleagues that the man had an “eight-inch hunting knife” concealed beneath his coat at the site where tests on munitions and other weapons systems are carried out.
Weeks later, after allegedly causing the major security incident, the man was then assigned to Badenoch’s security team despite insiders warning Mitie management of his “reckless” behaviour.
“Mitie has been warned time and again about this guy,” a source told The Telegraph.
“He is a fantasist, and he shouldn’t have a Security SIA [Security Industry Authority] badge. It’s reckless.”
When concerns were raised by Mitie employees the man was stood down from the Tory leader's security team after just one day, reports said.
Mitie was also reportedly warned earlier this year after the man posted a series of violent videos on his YouTube account.
He is alleged to have posted videos where he was dressed in black and was holding a gun in a car park.
Meanwhile, in another video he was reportedly seen loading a large gun before striding around a gym in various poses.
It is unclear if the guns seen in the videos are real or fake.
A Conservative Party spokesperson said: “This individual was only part of Kemi Badenoch’s security detail for one day. The Home Office should immediately look into how this occurred and ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
The Home Office said that if a minister’s close protection officer was under investigation, they would be suspended from their duties immediately until the outcome was clear.
A Mitie spokesperson said: “All our security colleagues are subject to the appropriate recruitment, vetting and clearance processes for their role, with social media activity reviewed in line with our policies.
“Where concerns are raised, they are taken seriously, investigated, and action is taken where appropriate.”
A Counter Terrorism Policing London spokesperson said: “We treat all reports made into the anti-terrorist hotline and online portal as confidential. Because of this, and for operational security reasons, we therefore do not comment on or confirm specific details or matters that may get reported to us through this route.
“All reports are reviewed and, if it is assessed that further police action is required, it will get passed to the relevant police force or counter-terrorism unit to carry this out.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “Protecting elected representatives and sensitive operational sites is essential to uphold our democracy and our national security. It is non-negotiable that MPs should be able to go about their vital work safely and freely.
“As the public would expect, all security operatives deployed by the Government under contracts with Mitie are subject to stringent background checks before taking up their post.
“Mitie are responsible for immediately notifying the government of any security incidents and conducting internal investigations into their employees. If an investigation finds wrongdoing took place, action is taken against the employee’s employment, and security clearance is revoked.”
