Airports may get body scanners MEPs won’t use

Scanners bought by the European parliament at a cost of more than £500,000 to improve security at its headquarters have never been used

Daniel Foggo Published: 6 March 2011

A man demonstrates a check by a full body scanner at Hamburg Airport Many MEPs have reservations about scanners because of human rights issues (Joern Pollex)

Six body scanners bought by the European parliament at a cost of more than £500,000 to improve security at its headquarters in Brussels and Strasbourg have never been used because MEPs objected to the invasion of privacy.

The scanners, which emit low-level x-rays to show images of people naked, have been mothballed in a basement for six years.

Yet MEPs have now asked the European commission to consider the use of body scanners at all airports across Europe. This could lead to passengers being compelled to undergo body imaging before being allowed to fly.

The revelation comes after a series of security breaches at the parliament in Brussels. Last month a French journalist smuggled in an imitation firearm during a visit by Prince Charles to highlight the lax security. There have also been three armed robberies within the confines of the parliament building, leading some MEPs to condemn the security system as a "farce".

Nikki Sinclaire, MEP for the West Midlands, said: "MEPs put their own self-importance ahead of security in the parliament, with many refusing to undergo the simplest of security checks. Security is a great cause for concern." The scanners — Rapiscan Secure 1000s — were bought in 2005 at a cost of 725,730 euros (£621,000).

The same model is being used at Manchester and Heathrow airports as well as about 70 others in the US. It works by peppering a passenger with very weak radiation in order to project an x-ray image of them on to a viewing screen. This depicts any concealed objects as well as showing intimate areas of the body.

At the time of their purchase, the European parliament was opposed to the use of body scanners in airports. In 2009 MEPs voted to sell the scanners it had bought. Despite slashing the asking price, no buyers have come forward.

The commission has been tasked with considering the use of body scanners. One option is to make them mandatory at all airports. Airports in the EU are now allowed to use the scanners only in an authorised trial of the equipment or in response to a higher threat risk.

Many MEPs still have reservations over the use of the scanners because of human rights issues and possible health risks. EU policy is expected to be decided by July this year.

A spokesman for the European parliament said: "The scanners were bought following September 11, 2001, when the parliament was looking at security measures. They were never intended to be used routinely."