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| Lee Nelson: How prankster Simon Brodkin evaded tight security to deliver a fake P45 to Theresa May | Lee Nelson: How prankster Simon Brodkin evaded tight security to deliver a fake P45 to Theresa May |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A prankster who handed Theresa May a P45 during her keynote conference speech is believed to have gained access by posing as a professional photographer. | A prankster who handed Theresa May a P45 during her keynote conference speech is believed to have gained access by posing as a professional photographer. |
| Simon Brodkin, who performs under the name Lee Nelson, could be seen with a camera in a pit of photographers in front of the Prime Minister’s lectern in the moments leading up to the stunt. | Simon Brodkin, who performs under the name Lee Nelson, could be seen with a camera in a pit of photographers in front of the Prime Minister’s lectern in the moments leading up to the stunt. |
| The Independent understands that Mr Brodkin was believed to be a “bona fide delegate” when he was admitted to the tightly guarded Conservative Party conference. | The Independent understands that Mr Brodkin was believed to be a “bona fide delegate” when he was admitted to the tightly guarded Conservative Party conference. |
| His ability to get within inches of the Prime Minister and cabinet members has sparked questions over security at the event, which has been increased amid a heightened terror threat. | His ability to get within inches of the Prime Minister and cabinet members has sparked questions over security at the event, which has been increased amid a heightened terror threat. |
| Mr Brodkin put his camera down before picking up a fake P45 – the tax form given to employees resigning or being sacked – and handing it to Mrs May in view of thousands of delegates. | Mr Brodkin put his camera down before picking up a fake P45 – the tax form given to employees resigning or being sacked – and handing it to Mrs May in view of thousands of delegates. |
| In scenes being broadcast on live television, he was escorted out by security guards while being booed by the audience, who shouted: “Out! Out! Out!” | In scenes being broadcast on live television, he was escorted out by security guards while being booed by the audience, who shouted: “Out! Out! Out!” |
| While being taken out of the hall, Mr Brodkin continued the prank by telling following journalists Boris Johnson had told him to give Ms May the form. | |
| “Boris said – in you know one of those corridor meetings – ‘do me a favour son, give Theresa this’…it was a P45 from Boris,” he added. | |
| Theresa May’s spokesperson said Mr Brodkin had been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and The Independent saw him being handcuffed. | Theresa May’s spokesperson said Mr Brodkin had been arrested on suspicion of breach of the peace and The Independent saw him being handcuffed. |
| Greater Manchester Police announced that it would be reviewing the accreditation process following the incident. | Greater Manchester Police announced that it would be reviewing the accreditation process following the incident. |
| Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “Earlier today a man was detained by conference security during the Prime Minister’s speech. | Chief Superintendent John O’Hare said: “Earlier today a man was detained by conference security during the Prime Minister’s speech. |
| “Officers attended and the man was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and was released a short time later. | “Officers attended and the man was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and was released a short time later. |
| “The man had legitimate accreditation which granted him access to the conference site. | “The man had legitimate accreditation which granted him access to the conference site. |
| “In light of this we will be reviewing the accreditation process with the Conservative Party. | “In light of this we will be reviewing the accreditation process with the Conservative Party. |
| “Even with accreditation, everyone at the conference goes through airport-style searches before being allowed entry to the site.” | “Even with accreditation, everyone at the conference goes through airport-style searches before being allowed entry to the site.” |
| A spokesperson for the Conservative Party confirmed the review was underway without providing details, adding: “In light of the arrest during the Prime Minister’s speech we are working with the police to review the accreditation process and security arrangements for party conference.” | |
| George Freeman, a Conservative MP who heads the Prime Minister’s policy board, was among those raising alarm over the intrusion. | |
| “There should be some very serious questions – that could have been a terrorist,” he said. “My understanding is he’s a comedian, he’s often used by the BBC, and questions will be asked about how he was allowed to get that close.” | |
| G4S has been charged with perimeter security and checking delegates’ identification at the conference, while another private firm is responsible for internal security and Greater Manchester Police has mounted a wide-ranging operation to protect the venue amid a heightened terrror threat. | G4S has been charged with perimeter security and checking delegates’ identification at the conference, while another private firm is responsible for internal security and Greater Manchester Police has mounted a wide-ranging operation to protect the venue amid a heightened terrror threat. |
| There is airport-style security at all entrances and exits, where delegates are required to put their possessions through scanners. | There is airport-style security at all entrances and exits, where delegates are required to put their possessions through scanners. |
| Mr Brodkin was previously arrested for trespassing at a Fifa press conference in 2015, where he showered Sepp Blatter with money while telling him: “Sepp, this is for North Korea in 2026.” | Mr Brodkin was previously arrested for trespassing at a Fifa press conference in 2015, where he showered Sepp Blatter with money while telling him: “Sepp, this is for North Korea in 2026.” |
| The comedian also appears to have posed as an official delegate for that prank, wearing a suit, tie and name badge. | The comedian also appears to have posed as an official delegate for that prank, wearing a suit, tie and name badge. |
| Mr Brodkin was released by Swiss authorities and has since targeted Philip Green by hanging a sign reading “BHS Destroyer” on the billionaire’s superyacht, and disrupted then US presidential candidate Donald Trump at a ribbon-cutting ceremony by attempting to hand out golf balls with a swastika printed on them. | |
| The comedian also stormed the Glastonbury stage during Kanye West’s set in June 2015 wearing a T-shirt with “Lee-Zus” on it before being removed by security. | |
| His latest stunt came amid criticism of the Foreign Secretary over controversial remarks made about a Libyan city that was overrun by Isis, as well as an article laying out his vision on Brexit that was seen as a leadership challenge. | His latest stunt came amid criticism of the Foreign Secretary over controversial remarks made about a Libyan city that was overrun by Isis, as well as an article laying out his vision on Brexit that was seen as a leadership challenge. |
| The Foreign Secretary has denied disloyalty towards the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly been urged to sack him. | The Foreign Secretary has denied disloyalty towards the Prime Minister, who has repeatedly been urged to sack him. |
| Mr Brodkin’s stunt happened just moments after Mrs May apologised to her party for her performance in the botched campaign for this year’s snap general election. | |
| She admitted the campaign was “too scripted, too presidential” and said she took responsibility for its shortcomings. | She admitted the campaign was “too scripted, too presidential” and said she took responsibility for its shortcomings. |
| The Prime Minister’s speech continued to be beset with difficulties as she coughed and had difficulty speaking, with letters falling off a sign behind her that eventually read “Building a country that works or everyon [sic]”. | The Prime Minister’s speech continued to be beset with difficulties as she coughed and had difficulty speaking, with letters falling off a sign behind her that eventually read “Building a country that works or everyon [sic]”. |