Senior Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown is kicked out of Conservative party conference after clashing with security staff while trying to get his fiancee into a lounge without a passTory MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown had row with staff over a security passA doorman at the venue described the incident as a ‘small misunderstanding’He has been asked to leave the Tory party conference this afternoonParty said he tried to enter a room with a guest who didn’t have the relevant passSome witnesses said they had heard there was an ‘actual punch up’ inside room By Ed Riley For Mailonline and Richard Spillett, Crime Correspondent For Mailonline Published: 08:58 EDT, 1 October 2019 | Updated: 12:36 EDT, 1 October 2019 A senior Tory MP has been kicked out of the Conservative Party conference today after he clashed with staff in a row over a security pass for his fiancee.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.Police said they were called to the venue this afternoon to reports an ‘attendee’ attempted to enter an exclusive area without ‘a relevant pass’. The Cotswolds MP is understood to have remonstrated with the member of staff, at which point security personnel intervened. The Conservative Party later released a statement saying the incident was ‘totally unacceptable’ and sir Geoffrey had been ‘asked to leave.’ It said the MP had 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 reportersOfficers 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 today after the incident 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 afternoonThe 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.’ Police at the International Lounge after the incident which is believed to have involved Sir Geoffrey Clifton-BrownIt 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 was 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.’
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Conservative party conference is locked down as police react to incident
