The 28-Year-Old from Surrey Is Detained on Suspicion of Assault and Public Nuisance

A 28-year-old man from Surrey was arrested following a glitter-throwing protest that interrupted a speech by the leader of the Labour Party. The protest took place during a high-profile event in Liverpool, where the Labour leader was addressing party members and delegates at the annual conference.

The incident occurred as the leader took to the stage to deliver his keynote speech, with the protester hurling glitter towards him while shouting slogans in a bid to draw attention to his cause. The protester, who was swiftly tackled by security personnel, was detained by Merseyside Police shortly after the disruption. He is being held on suspicion of assault, breach of the peace, and causing a public nuisance.

“The individual was arrested for causing a disruption during a public event, and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding the protest,” a Merseyside Police spokesperson confirmed. “We take incidents of this nature seriously, and the individual remains in custody as part of our inquiries.”

The protest itself, though brief, caused significant disruption during the leader’s speech, with security teams quickly moving in to contain the situation. The Labour Party’s leadership condemned the act of protest but also affirmed their commitment to ensuring free speech and democratic debate within the party. “We respect the right to protest, but such actions should never disrupt the peaceful conduct of a public event,” a spokesperson for the party said.

The protester’s motives remain unclear, though initial reports suggest the glitter was intended as a form of symbolic protest. It is not the first time glitter has been used in political protests, with various groups using the tactic to draw attention to social or environmental causes.

While the Labour leader continued his speech after the disturbance, the event was temporarily halted as security ensured that the situation was under control. Delegates and party members were allowed to resume their participation once the protester was removed from the premises.

The arrested man is expected to face charges related to the disruption, and authorities will continue their investigation into the incident.