Security checks will be introduced near the main stairs of the Palace in Valletta  as from today after problems and delays were encountered yesterday when a single security point was introduced.

As from yesterday, all visitors to parliament needed to agree to be frisked before taking a lift up to the chamber. A small queue built up and there were also reports of officials objecting and taking the stairs instead of the lift.

In the late evening, however, the Clerk of the House in a circular to all MPs said a second security point would be introduced at the bottom of the stairs to avoid a repeat of the problems.

The searches were introduced at the request of the opposition after it transpired last week that some ministerial security officers were armed.