The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Tory MP has been kicked out of the party conference after armed police were called to a "totally unacceptable" row.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown was sent home from the Manchester bash after a spat erupted with a female security guard - when he tried to bring his fiancee into a VIP lounge without the right pass.

The incident - on 'law and order' day - led to the International Lounge being placed on lockdown for around 20 minutes.

The Old Etonian, 66 - who is Treasurer of the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs - could now face further action from the Conservative Party after today's incident.

He later told the Telegraph he was "mortified" and said he "apologised unreservedly".

A 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.

(Image: SWNS) (Image: PA)

"We will always adopt a zero tolerance approach to any inappropriate behaviour towards our hardworking staff."

It is understood Sir Geoffrey was stopped by staff at the international lounge, before "remonstrating" with them when they tried to prevent him bringing in his partner.

A female security staff member then intervened, police were called and people were barred from entering the International Lounge in Manchester.

Press were also stopped from entering the media room, which is separated from the International Lounge by a curtain, for around 20 minutes.

(Image: PA)

The incident came on 'law and order' day at the Tory conference, just before a speech by the Home Secretary on tougher sentences for violent criminals.

Moments after the fracas, Priti Patel told delegates: "Today, here in Manchester, the Conservative Party takes its rightful place as the party of law and order in Britain once again"

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Eton-educated Mr Clifton-Brown, 66, is the Treasurer of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers.

He attended the Royal Agricultural College, where he qualified as a chartered surveyor in 1975.

He has previously served as assistant chief Conservative whip under Iain Duncan-Smith and as a shadow foreign minister under David Cameron.

(Image: PA)

The incident at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, which began before 2pm, was over by around 2.15pm.

The Cotswolds MP did not deny reports he was involved. He told PA news agency: "I've got nothing further to say about it. I don't want to comment on it, really."

Earlier a doorman at the venue described the incident as a "small misunderstanding".

A Mirror reporter on the scene was told no one was harmed but that: "Someone did something stupid".

(Image: PA)

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."

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell emerged from the lounge and said he had no idea what the incident was.

He told reporters: “I’ve been there for two hours. I didn’t see anything and I don’t really know what this is about. I honestly don’t know.

“I think it was a false alarm - I didn’t see everything.

“Everyone is having tea and cake and chatting around tables. There’s been no incident, honestly.”

Asked about police being called to the room he added: “I saw them talking but they were just chatting. There was no running around.”

Despite his comments staff were still holding back members of the press. Blinds in a corridor in the Complex, looking down on the press room, were pulled down as reporters and camera-operators watched on.

Did you see the incident? Email webnews@trinitymirror.com

(Image: @alexcadier/Twitter)

It comes after a dramatic day at major political landmarks.

This morning a man was arrested outside the Houses of Parliament after allegedly pouring a petrol like substance on himself.

A huge police response was triggered after the unidentified person who had a lighter doused themselves in liquid, MP Huw Merriman tweeted.

Our reporter at the scene said police held a person up against a wall next to Carriage Gates in the moments after the dousing.

(Image: George Cracknell Wright/LNP)

Officers were seen spraying a fire extinguisher on an unknown substance before wrapping the man in a blanket.

Carriage Gates is the main entrance to Parliament off Parliament Square and it is where protesters gather.

It is also where PC Keith Palmer was killed in the 2017 Westminster terror attack.