An investigation has been launched after an intruder was allowed access to barracks close to Windsor Castle. The man pretended to be a priest and a friend of a military chaplain assigned to the Royal Guardsman based close to the castle, it has been reported.
The Army said it takes the 'breach of security extremely seriously' and has begun an investigation. The Queen was not present at the time of the incident, she was staying at Sandringham for Easter.
It has been claimed that the intruder spent the night eating and drinking with senior officers, before being offered a bed for the night despite showing no identification. Police said they attended Victoria Barracks and removed the intruder.
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"This is just an extraordinary breach of security," a source told The Sun. "The guy turned up at the gate in the evening and said his name was Father Cruise and claimed to be a friend of the battalion’s Padre Rev Matt Coles.
"He was invited in and offered something to eat in the Officer’s Mess. Within a couple of hours, he was drinking with the officers in the bar and telling them stories of how he had served in Iraq.
"He was telling lots of tall stories and the lads were enjoying his banter and having a few drinks." The barracks are home to The Coldstream Guards, known for their red jackets and black bearskin hats.
They have a ceremonial role as protectors of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. An Army spokesperson said: “The Army takes this breach of security extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority.
"This incident is now part of an ongoing investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time." A Thames Valley Police spokesman told the Sun: “We received a report of an intruder at Victoria Barracks in Sheet Street, Windsor, at 9.20am on Wednesday.
"Officers attended and removed the intruder from the barracks. No further action was required."
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