Bilawal's security to cost Brits 1million pound

London, Jan 14: Bilawal Bhutto Zardar's security, studying at the prestigious Oxford University could cost the country's taxpayers as much as 1 million Pound annually.

Police chiefs are said to be concerned that the cost of providing a 24-hour armed guard for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will be a drain on an already overstretched Scotland Yard resources. A police source has told the Sunday Express, ''His protection will cost 1 million Pound a year minimum. Talk of it being in line with Prince William's and other royals is way off the mark, the cost will be stratospheric by comparison.

''The kind of protection he will be afforded is on a par with the likes of Rushdie and KGB defector Oleg Gordievsky.'' The 19-year-old Oxford undergraduate became Britain's most high-profile terrorist target, since author Salman Rushdie, after being named co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) following his mother's assassination last month.

Although Scotland Yard has refused to comment on Mr Zardari's protection. But it is understood a risk assessment has been carried out by a detective inspector, according to the newspaper.

It is understood, according to the report, Mr Zardari qualifies for the top level of protection, which includes a close Protection Team (CPT) of 12 armed officers in two vehicles working eight-hour shifts. All CPT teams are SAS-trained and carry 9mm Glock pistols.

With Scotland Yard resources already stretched, an estimated yearly wage bill around 5,00,000 Pound will give it more headache. Royalty and diplomatic protection units are so under strength that some officers are having to work 40 days without a break.

Tory MP David Davies, a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said the wealthy Bhutto family should help foot the bill for Mr Zardari's protection.

Shadow policing minister David Ruffley said, ''Of course this young man must receive the protection he needs from terrorists but I am sure many hard-pressed police who are already struggling against budget cuts might wonder whether the Bhutto family should make a contribution.''

UNI