Representational image
London:
The security system at one of London's leading museums is under the scanner after a homeless Indian-origin man fell asleep within its premises.
Raj Patel walked in to the Tate Britain in Pimlico, central London, to use the toilet but fell asleep in the cubicle shortly before the building was shut.
The 32-year-old awoke two hours later to find himself alone, with the gallery locked up and in darkness.
"I'm not a great fan of art but there's a loo near the door so I went in. I'm homeless and I suppose the day just caught up with me, so I dropped off," he told the 'Evening Standard'.
"I remember hearing someone open the door and shouting 'security', but I was half-asleep and they didn't check the cubicle. When I woke up the entire place was in darkness," he added.
An exhibition of William Turner's late paintings is currently on display at the Tate.
The show brings together "spectacular works from the UK and abroad", according to the gallery's website.
"It was just a bit eerie, being there all alone. I wandered around for 10 minutes looking for a security guard to let me out. When I found one, they just let me go - they didn't ask for ID or even my name. I was shocked because I was ready to explain how I had come to be locked in there," Patel added.
A Tate Britain spokesperson said: "A man locked himself in a toilet cubicle before the museum closed on Wednesday. He was located in the cloakroom area and escorted from the building at 6.50 pm. He did not enter any galleries.
"We have appropriate security measures in place. The man was not near the galleries and no art was put at risk. But we will review this incident."
Raj Patel walked in to the Tate Britain in Pimlico, central London, to use the toilet but fell asleep in the cubicle shortly before the building was shut.
The 32-year-old awoke two hours later to find himself alone, with the gallery locked up and in darkness.
"I'm not a great fan of art but there's a loo near the door so I went in. I'm homeless and I suppose the day just caught up with me, so I dropped off," he told the 'Evening Standard'.
"I remember hearing someone open the door and shouting 'security', but I was half-asleep and they didn't check the cubicle. When I woke up the entire place was in darkness," he added.
An exhibition of William Turner's late paintings is currently on display at the Tate.
The show brings together "spectacular works from the UK and abroad", according to the gallery's website.
"It was just a bit eerie, being there all alone. I wandered around for 10 minutes looking for a security guard to let me out. When I found one, they just let me go - they didn't ask for ID or even my name. I was shocked because I was ready to explain how I had come to be locked in there," Patel added.
A Tate Britain spokesperson said: "A man locked himself in a toilet cubicle before the museum closed on Wednesday. He was located in the cloakroom area and escorted from the building at 6.50 pm. He did not enter any galleries.
"We have appropriate security measures in place. The man was not near the galleries and no art was put at risk. But we will review this incident."
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
