Theresa May suffered a Tory conference nightmare as her speech was derailed by a prankster and set malfunctions.
Theresa May's keynote speech at the Tory conference descended into chaotic scenes after she struggled to cope with a sore throat and was interrupted by a prankster.
The Prime Minister intended the speech to relaunch her premiership after a Conservative Party conference beset by Cabinet splits and leadership speculation.
May made a full apology for her disastrous snap election, admitting that it had been too "Presidential" and scripted, according to the Telegraph UK. She also conceded that her "unemotional" image as an "ice maiden" had been damaging and spoke of her sadness at not being able to have children.
But her speech was overshadowed by comedian Simon Brodkin, who broke through security to step up to the podium and hand the Prime Minister a P45.
The prankster said "Boris asked me to give you this" as he managed to make his way to the front of the room and give it to her.
The prank has been described as a "massive security breach" as he managed to get within arm's length of the Prime Minister, with police reviewing the security process of the conference.
After taking hold of the piece of paper, Theresa May was given a standing ovation as the man was escorted out, to a chorus of "Out! Out! Out!".
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, interrupts the Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister, Theresa May, during her speech. Photo / AP
Security issues have been raised after he managed to make his way into conference and to the front of the room.
The prankster was arrested by police for breach of peace due to the P45 incident, according to Theresa May's spokesperson.
Johnny Mercer MP told the Telegraph: "I think that it's totally unacceptable that an individual should be allowed to get that close to the Prime Minister and behave in that manner - I just find it tough because for me a lot of it comes down to respect as well.
"I feel very strongly about the respect we have for the head of Government. For a prankster to get that close and do what he did presents serious questions to her security.
"He was there for a long time with someone patting his back asking if he would like to come this way - that's not what I expect for the security of the Prime Minister".
A serious security issue there? A protestor got close enough to Theresa May to hand her a fake P45 during her speech.
Asked if there should be an investigation, Justine Greening, the Education Secretary, said: "I was very surprised that somebody was able to get that close to the Prime Minister and also to the Foreign Secretary. I am sure people will want to look at exactly what happened.
"I don't know exactly what happened. I have no doubt people will want to look at what happened."
Journalist Robert Peston tweeted: "On a serious point, MASSIVE security lapse to let prankster with P45 into hall front row right by @theresa_may. Very scary".
Brodkin has a track record of pulling off similar stunts. He once threw a pile of dollars at the then Fifa president Sepp Blatter during a press conference.
He was seen speaking to Foreign MInister Boris Johnson after he handed the Prime Minister the P45.
The P45 said the reasons for termination of the job were "Neither strong nor stable" and "We're a bit worried about Jezza".
It also claimed to be requested by Johnson.
May said after it happened: "there is one person I would like to give a P45 to, and that's Jeremy Corbyn!".
As he was ejected from the conference hall, Brodkin said: "Boris said in one of those corridor meetings 'do me a favour son and give Theresa this it is about time things moved on'. It was a P45 from Boris. He said 'it is either me or her'."
Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, handed her a lozenge to try to help, prompting the Prime Minister to joke: "The Chancellor giving something away for free."
Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister, Theresa May, coughs during her address to delegates at the Conservative Party Conference at Manchester Central, in Manchester, England. Photo / AP
Andrew Neil said: "The Comedian and the Cough. Together could make this speech historic. But not in a good way."
Minister Jeremy Hunt told Sky News the cough made the Prime Minister seem "more human although not in the way that she planned it".
Comedian Simon Brodkin being led out after gatecrashing Theresa May's speech - saying Boris gave him the P45 to give to the PM pic.twitter.com/QIvs1R3zP0
First the 'F' fell off the sign, followed by most of the rest of the letters, slowly dropping off one-by-one.
Cabinet rallies to their leader's defence
While Hunt said she showed humanity, Environment secretary Michael Gove was also quick to speak up
He told the Telegraph: "I witnessed a great speech from a Prime Minister at top of her game."
Meanwhile, Johnson appeared to be chivvied to his feet by Amber Rudd:
Rachael_SwindonRT hansmollman: Amber Rudd telling Boris Johnson to stand for May pic.twitter.com/NQKtfx8nk0
— William Who? 3.5% Defrauded by Labour Traitors (@willhuw) October 4, 2017
While MP Matt Hancock tweeted: "There are few things more inspiring than triumphing through difficulty. Our Prime Minister is doing just that right now with great humour".
David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, described the address as "great" while Johnson said it was "terrific".
David Gauke, the Work and Pensions Secretary, said: "She has got a cold but she stuck through it and showed real resilience."
Damian Green, the First Secretary of State, said: "If you want to draw symbolism for what happened it's that she fought through and came out triumphantly and made a great speech despite having problems with her throat."
David Lidington, the Justice Secretary said "clearly questions will be asked about security" after a prankster was able to get close enough to the Prime Minister to hand her a sheet of paper".
