EU parliament is scene of bank robbery

An investigation was launched today after a man thought to be brandishing a handgun robbed a bank in parliament.

The man walked into the ING bank on the ground floor of parliament and ordered a female cashier to hand over cash.

The terrified assistant handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and the man fled on foot.

It happened just a few metres from the entrance to the Paul Henri Spaak building and close to the main debating chamber where leading figures, including former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev and Mario Soares, a former president of Portugal, were taking part in a conference on water.

Jaume Duch, parliament’s spokesman, told this website that the incident was “very frightening” for the bank staff.

“It was all over in a few minutes but the robber threatened the staff with what appeared to be a gun. Whether it was real or a replica we do not know,” he said.

He said security staff would study footage from CCTV cameras in the bank and the immediate area. “We have only a sketchy description of the man so, hopefully, this will enable us to get a better picture of him.”

“We will, of course, liaise with the ING people as part of an investigation.”

The bank is opposite the busy press centre in parliament, and the entrance usually used by VIP visitors to the assembly. The immediate area around the small bank, used by MEPs and parliamentary staff, was sealed off and there was a large police presence.

“We do not know for sure that he left parliament and we are currently undertaking a search inside parliament in the unlikely event of him still being here,” said Duch.

He said that in his long service in parliament it was the first time anything like this had happened.

The incident, which happened just after 4pm, has raised questions about parliament’s security system.

A parliament staff worker, who witnessed the robbery, said, “I had just come out of the lift when I saw this man running out of the bank at some speed. He made towards the exit and I went to the aid of the woman in the bank, who was clearly distressed.”

One parliamentary insider, who did not wish to be named, said, “Even if it was only a replica gun, this raises all sorts of questions as to how on earth this man managed to get through security. It happened, after all, just about as close as it is possible to be to the security staff.

“It seems incredible this could happen, not least on a day you have got people like Gorbachev in parliament.”

Meanwhile, co-president of the Independence/Democracy group, British MEP Nigel Farage, said, “Though delighted to hear that nobody was hurt during today’s robbery, I suppose the Parliament might now understand how the British people feel.”

He went on, “A day after the who EU institutional structure got excited about the prospect of long-legged blonde haired Mata Haris wandering around the place, a real live crime happened under its very nose. It really doesn't say much for the security system now does it?”

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