Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is kicked out of Conservative party conference after ‘totally unacceptable’ clash with security staff who stopped him bringing in a guest without a pass
- Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown had row with staff over a security pass
- A doorman at the venue described the incident as a ‘small misunderstanding’
- He has been asked to leave the Tory party conference this afternoon
- Party said he tried to enter a room with a guest who didn’t have the relevant pass
- Some witnesses said they had heard there was an ‘actual punch up’ inside room
A senior Tory MP has been asked to leave the Conservative Party conference this afternoon after he was embroiled in a row over a security pass.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown was said to be involved in what a doorman described as a ‘small misunderstanding’ at the International Lounge in the conference centre.
Greater Manchester Police released a statement saying that they were called when an ‘attendee’ attempted to enter the area without a ‘relevant pass.’
The Conservative Party later released a statement saying the incident was ‘totally unacceptable’ and he had been ‘asked to leave.’
It said Sir Geoffrey said he tried to enter a room with a guest who did not have the correct security clearance.
The row led to a lockdown of areas of the conference, including the press room, at the Manchester Central Convention Complex for around 20 minutes.
One journalist at the conference said there had been an ‘actual punch up’ in a ‘secure zone.’
Members of the press gather around the International Lounge area after it was closed down after the incident
The Cotswolds MP, (pictured) treasurer of the 1922 committee, the influential group of backbench Tory MPs, did not deny the reports, when questioned by reporters.
Officers were seen entering the ‘International Lounge’ of the Manchester conference centre and moving photographers and reporters away from the scene.
The Cotswolds MP, treasurer of the 1922 committee, the influential group of backbench Tory MPs, did not deny the reports, when questioned by reporters.
He said: ‘I’ve got nothing further to say about it. I don’t want to comment on it, really.’
A staff member guarding the door of the lounge said the incident was sparked by a disagreement.
‘It was a small misunderstanding,’ the man said.
Police attend the Conservative Party Conference after a ‘small misunderstanding’ when an attendee, believed to be Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for The Cotswolds, tried to enter the International Lounge at the Manchester Convention Centre without the relevant pass
Event security members temporary block the access to one of the corridors at the Conservative Party annual conference
Police and conference staff deal with the security incident in the centre this afternoon
The Conservatives said MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown attempted to bring someone into the international lounge who did not have the relevant pass.
This person was stopped by a member of staff at the international lounge and Sir Geoffrey remonstrated with them, at which point security staff intervened.
A Conservative Party spokesman said: ‘The incident was totally unacceptable.
‘Geoffrey has been asked to leave Conference and we are establishing all of the facts to see if further action is necessary.
‘We will always adopt a zero tolerance approach to any inappropriate behaviour towards our hardworking staff.’
It is believed two women ran from the lounge and raised the alarm with police. The room was then closed off as officers entered.
The reported ‘scuffle’ comes just hours before Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to give a major speech on law and order, promising to crack down on criminals.
In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: ‘At around 1.45pm on Tuesday 1 October 2019, an attendee to the Conservative Party Conference attempted to enter the International Lounge area of the conference without the relevant pass.
‘Security staff intervened and resolved the situation without any breach of security occurring.’
Police at the International Lounge after the incident which is believed to have involved Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown