FREEPORT IN STORM
IT MIGHT have been hoped that, after the Post Office scandal, the government would retire the word “robust” as a conveniently vague defence for dodgy systems and processes.
Alas, not. Middlesbrough Labour MP Andy McDonald recently asked the government about security at UK freeports, following the Eye’s reports on the organised crime connections of the firm running security across the Teesside freeport on his constituents’ doorstep. Of particular concern are “customs sites” where goods enter with few checks and can then, as experience around the world shows, move into general circulation if security is weak. Following the revelations, the government has, er, abandoned freeport security audits, including for Teesside.