Sir Oliver Dowden, a former deputy prime minister, has called for a ban on anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray after he disrupted Sir Keir Starmer's resignation announcement on Monday morning. Bray blasted Ode to Joy, the EU's official anthem, as Starmer spoke outside Downing Street, causing the Prime Minister to struggle to be heard.
Disruption Sparks Political Outcry
Speaking in the Commons, Dowden claimed Bray contributed to "considerable international embarrassment" but refrained from naming him directly. He later confirmed to the Press Association that he was referring to the protester. Dowden asked the Deputy Prime Minister to "sit down with the police and find some way of stopping this ridiculous heckling and disruption of prime ministers on the steps of Downing Street." His remarks were met with cries of "hear, hear" from fellow MPs.
Government Response
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy responded, acknowledging Dowden's concerns: "He has stood in my shoes on the steps of Downing Street, and I do think there are these moments where the country are watching in and they do want to be able to hear prime ministers of the day speak, so I recognise the points that he raises."
Bray's History of Protests
Bray, from Port Talbot, became known as "Stop Brexit Man" for playing loud music and chanting through a loudspeaker outside Parliament after the Brexit referendum. He previously played D-Ream's "Things Can Only Get Better" when Rishi Sunak announced the 2024 general election. In April 2025, he was acquitted of breaching a police ban for playing anti-Conservative and anti-Brexit song edits, arguing it was peaceful protest. He has also demonstrated at the Conservative party conference and outside Boris Johnson's wedding.
Bray Defends His Actions
On X, Bray said he played Ode to Joy "out of respect (at) background volume," adding: "If you were at Downing Street there was a man with megaphone slagging off Labour and Keir constant. It could be heard so there you go. Not disrespectful in my opinion, but you are entitled to your opinion. It was Ode to Joy or the guy with the megaphone shouting all the way through."
