An inquiry has been initiated following the discovery of a hidden mobile device in the Commons, intended to play explicit sounds during Prime Minister’s Questions as Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch engaged in debate in the chamber. The phone, set to play inappropriate audio, was detected during a routine security sweep before the session commenced, prompting serious concerns about the breach of parliamentary security protocols. Despite the absence of clear footage showing the device being planted, authorities are treating the incident with utmost seriousness.
According to sources, although the placement of the phone may have been intended as a prank, the potential consequences could have been severe, and the method of entry remains unknown. The incident bears resemblance to a previous occurrence in 2023 when explicit audio disrupted a live broadcast of Match of the Day, involving presenter Gary Lineker.
In a separate incident, a mobile phone was discovered following a YouTube prankster’s claim of responsibility, leading to public apologies from the BBC for any offense caused. Lineker later characterized the prank as harmless, as the phone had been discreetly affixed to the set. This event echoes a notable breach of security in the past, where climate change activists disrupted a Brexit debate by engaging in a semi-nude protest within the public gallery of the chamber.
A spokesperson for the UK Parliament emphasized the continuous commitment to safety and security within the public building, highlighting stringent security measures in place to screen visitors and maintain vigilance through routine searches. The successful removal of the mobile phone from the Commons Chamber underscored the efficacy of existing security protocols.
