International

“The introduction of the automated body scan would be a good way to make flights safer," says SP Member of Parliament Ronald van Raak. “With a bodyscan which can be performed by computer, you can take people's privacy right out of the issue. Only when the computer alarm goes off would it be necessary for a security person to take a look, which seems to me acceptable. Safety must be the priority."

According to experts, there would have been a better chance that the Nigerian passenger whose terrorist attack was only thwarted at the last minute would not have been able to pass through security had he been obliged to undergo a bodyscan. As things stand, however, considerations of privacy mean that the bodyscan cannot be employed.

Van Raak is, at least for the time being, happy with Interior Minister Guusje Ter Horst's statement regarding security at Schiphol airport, from where the intended terrorist began his journey to Detroit on Christmas Day. “As it appears at the moment, it doesn't seem that any mistakes were made by the security services at Schiphol. I'm waiting for the enquiry to complete its work," he says. On the other hand, he is critical of the use of private security firms at the airport. "There have been criticisms of the goings on at these firms," he notes. "So as part of its work the enquiry needs to look at the way they function. In my view security is a public concern and should remain the responsibility of the Royal Military Police.”