Queen's top bodyguard suspended after gunshot blunder

London, Sep 26 (ANI): The Queen's top bodyguard has been suspended from duty after accidentally firing a shot inside the royal palace.

The loaded gun went off as SAS-trained Ian Boyes was cleaning it. He was alone and off duty.

The blunder at Holyroodhouse came just hours before the Pope's visit there on September 16 to meet the Queen.

"As is routine in this type of incident, the officer was removed from firearms duty and an internal inquiry undertaken. The officer has completed the re-accreditation process and has resumed firearms duty," News of the World quoted a Scotland Yard spokesman as saying.

It is the first time an officer of such senior rank has been removed from duty for such an incident. (ANI)