Scottish Parliament police armed with Tasers after Westminster terror attack
The measure follows the Westminster attack and is not based on intelligence suggesting an imminent threat, officials say.
Tuesday 28 March 2017 14:28, UK
Police patrolling the Scottish Parliament have been armed with Tasers following the Westminster terror attack.
The new security measure at Holyrood has been implemented immediately.
Parliament chief executive Paul Grice said the move was not based on any intelligence suggesting an imminent terror attack.
Mr Grice said: "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."
Police Scotland carried out a security review , which left four people dead and dozens injured.
Attacker Khalid Masood ploughed a car into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing PC Keith Palmer to death.
Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said: "Following the incident at Westminster, we have agreed to carry out a review of security at the Scottish Parliament.
"In the interim, we have decided to deploy officers equipped with Tasers to patrol the public area outside the parliament building.
"This is being done as an operational contingency and is not based on any intelligence threat."
Business was suspended in the Scottish Parliament after the London attack but MPs are continuing their debate this week on the possibility of holding a second referendum on Scottish independence.