Consultants warn over Parliament asbestos risk

There are "significant dangers" of asbestos exposure for "all persons" in the Palace of Westminster, according to a leaked safety report.

The report, produced by Goddard Consulting earlier this year, raised fears that not enough is being done to tackle the problem of traces of brown asbestos - one of the most dangerous forms of the material - in the 170-year-old building.

The warning comes after a detailed investigation of the service shafts and piping ducts behind parliamentary committee rooms, according to a report in the Guardian.

Of 20 samples taken in August last year, four service shafts showed traces of 'amosite', or brown asbestos, in dust and debris.