This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/01/comedia-disrupts-vw-presentation-at-geneva-motor-show

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Comedian disrupts VW presentation at Geneva Motor Show Comedian Simon Brodkin disrupts VW presentation at Geneva Motor Show
(35 minutes later)
A protester dressed as a Volkswagen mechanic has disrupted the carmaker’s media presentation at the Geneva Motor Show, exemplifying the German company’s nagging image problem following the emissions scandal. The English prankster who showered Fifa chief Sepp Blatter with dollar bills last summer has turned his attention to a VW presentation at the Geneva Motor Show.
Related: Volkswagen emissions scandal – timeline Comedian Simon Brodkin, dressed as a Volkswagen mechanic and holding a wrench and a prop labelled “cheat box”, looked under a display car as a VW executive spoke at the event on Tuesday morning.
The protester alluded to Volkswagen’s cheating on US emissions tests revealed last year. Holding a wrench and a prop labelled “cheat box”, the protester walked on stage and looked under a display car as a Volkswagen executive spoke.
In German-accented English, he said chief executive Matthias Mueller “said it was OK as long as no one finds out about it”. Security guards then escorted the man away.In German-accented English, he said chief executive Matthias Mueller “said it was OK as long as no one finds out about it”. Security guards then escorted the man away.
Related: Comedian Simon Brodkin charged by police over Sepp Blatter cash stunt
In July last year Simon Brodkin, dressed as one of his characters, Jason Bent, placed a pile of banknotes on the desk next to Fifa’s Sepp Blatter, having announced himself as a delegate from North Korea’s 2026 World Cup bid. As he was being led away by security he threw more notes over the still-seated president.
Brodkin is also known for his TV character Lee Nelson, whose show aired on BBC Three in 2010 and 2011.
Volkswagen admitted to US regulators in September it had used illegal software in its so-called Clean Diesel engines, allowing the cars to pass laboratory emissions tests while spewing high levels of harmful nitrogen oxide when operating.Volkswagen admitted to US regulators in September it had used illegal software in its so-called Clean Diesel engines, allowing the cars to pass laboratory emissions tests while spewing high levels of harmful nitrogen oxide when operating.