London:
Amid calls for withdrawal of the security cover to former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, a leading British daily has revealed that the UK government was spending around 25,000 pounds (approximately Rs 20 lakh) daily for his protection.
The Metropolitan Police Specialist Protection Unit, known as SOI, has assigned a round-the clock team of at least 10 men and women to protect the General who lives in a three-bedroom flat in West London, the
Times reported on Friday.
Musharraf has been using the current accommodation as his base for the past four months and generally dines at the posh Dorchester Hotel.
Although, he pays for a small team of retired Pakistani commandos to protect him, the decision to provide further security was taken at a meeting of the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (Revec) held at the Home Office.
The Scotland Yard is concerned that any attempt on his life could lead to injury for innocent civilians if the former Pakistani President is targeted in public.
Pakistani-origin peer Lord Nazir Ahmed, who has written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson to stop using public money on this issue, has also tabled a parliamentary question about the cost of Musharraf's protection.
"I think the government needs to review Musharraf's security. There are people within Britain who could do with those extra police officers rather than a man who can afford private body guards," he said.
Over the years Britain has been home to dissidents, dictators and princes, many of whom have had protection provided by the British government.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was in exile in London from 1998 to 2007 after being ousted from office while Nawaz Sharif, another former Pakistani Prime Minister, was in exile here from 2006 to 2008. But it is not known whether they were provided with any security.