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A serial prankster arrested after handing Theresa May a mock P45 was released minutes later when police realised he had an official pass for the Tory party conference.

Comedian Lee Nelson, real name Simon Brodkin, had been vetted by the Tories and Greater Manchester Police and given accreditation to attend the party’s annual rally.

The well-known prankster marched up to Mrs May’s lectern on Wednesday as she gave her keynote conference speech and handed her the fake unemployment paper, which he said was “from Boris Johnson”.

The stunt raised security questions, with a senior Tory suggesting the perpetrator could have been a terrorist.

Guidance on the Tory conference website said all attendees must have approval from the party and are accredited by Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

Police have pledged to review the accreditation process.

GMP Chief Superintendent John O'Hare said: "Officers attended and the man was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace and was released a short time later.

Lee Nelson interrupts Tory Conference - In pictures 11 show all Lee Nelson interrupts Tory Conference - In pictures 1/11 Comedian Simon Brodkin, hands Prime Minister Theresa May a 'P45' in character as Lee Nelson during her keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference Reuters 2/11 The prankster was ushered out of the Tory conference afterwards Reuters 3/11 He gave a thumbs up to senior Tories after what was described as a major security breach Jeremy Selwyn 4/11 The comedian ruffled the Prime Minister's feathers with his prank PA 5/11 The 'P45' form had the words 'neither strong or stable' printed on it PA 6/11 A close-up of Theresa May being handed the form Reuters 7/11 The form that was given to the Prime Minister Jeremy Selwyn 8/11 He addressed senior members of the conservative party. Here the Prankster speaks to Amber Rudd Jeremy Selwyn 9/11 Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson is led out of the Conservative Party Conference PA 10/11 He was promptly ejected from the auditorium Jeremy Selwyn 11/11 Simon Bodkin, also known as Lee Nelson being put into a police van after confronting Prime Minister Theresa May during her keynote speech PA 1/11 Comedian Simon Brodkin, hands Prime Minister Theresa May a 'P45' in character as Lee Nelson during her keynote speech at the Conservative Party Conference Reuters 2/11 The prankster was ushered out of the Tory conference afterwards Reuters 3/11 He gave a thumbs up to senior Tories after what was described as a major security breach Jeremy Selwyn 4/11 The comedian ruffled the Prime Minister's feathers with his prank PA 5/11 The 'P45' form had the words 'neither strong or stable' printed on it PA 6/11 A close-up of Theresa May being handed the form Reuters 7/11 The form that was given to the Prime Minister Jeremy Selwyn 8/11 He addressed senior members of the conservative party. Here the Prankster speaks to Amber Rudd Jeremy Selwyn 9/11 Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson is led out of the Conservative Party Conference PA 10/11 He was promptly ejected from the auditorium Jeremy Selwyn 11/11 Simon Bodkin, also known as Lee Nelson being put into a police van after confronting Prime Minister Theresa May during her keynote speech PA

"The man had legitimate accreditation which granted him access to the conference site.

"In light of this we will be reviewing the accreditation process with the Conservative Party."

People entering the conference had to go through "airport-style" searches, he added.

Amid frantic scenes, the comedian was bundled out of the conference hall and through the exhibition stands by security staff at the Manchester Central venue.

He told reporters: "Boris told me to do it. He's left me in the lurch."

He was later seen being led away in handcuffs and placed in the back of a police van.

Around the same time, a tweet from his official Twitter account appeared, saying: "Hi @BorisJohnson, I gave Theresa her P45 just like you asked."

The P45 he handed to the Prime Minister gave the "Reason for termination" as: "Neither strong or stable. We're a bit worried about Jezza."

Senior Conservative MP George Freeman, head of the Prime Minister's policy board, said of the prankster's interruption: "There should be some very serious questions, that could have been a terrorist."

A Conservative spokesman said: "In light of the arrest during the Prime Minister's speech we are working with the police to review the accreditation process and security arrangements for party conference."

In a statement Shaun Hinds, chief executive of Manchester Central, said: "At the time of the disturbance, conference security protocols were immediately enacted resulting in the individual being quickly ejected from the venue and handed over to GMP."

Mrs May also struggled with a coughing fit during the speech and there was another comic moment, when two letters fell off the slogan behind Mrs May.

It had read Building A Country That Works For Everyone until the f in for and the final e in everyone disappeared.