The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation after a mobile phone was found hidden in the House of Commons chamber, believed to have been planted to play sex noises during Prime Minister's Questions.
The device was discovered during a routine security sweep on Wednesday, 3 September. Police suspect it was deliberately placed near the frontbench to broadcast adult content during Keir Starmer's weekly session with Kemi Badenoch.
A Met spokesperson said: 'On Wednesday 3 September, a mobile phone was found during a routine search of the House of Commons chamber by Met officers. Inquiries have led officers to believe that the phone was purposely placed in a location with the aim of causing disruption to business in the house. An investigation has been launched and inquiries are ongoing. We have updated the speaker and clerk of the house.'
A Parliament spokesperson added: 'Parliament is a public building and we facilitate the visits of thousands of people to the estate each week. The safety and security of everyone who works or visits here remains our top priority, and we have robust and proactive security measures in place. This includes ensuring that visitors and their belongings are security screened, along with monitoring and routine searches of areas that are open to the public. While we cannot comment on the detail of our processes, we can confirm that a mobile phone was removed from the Commons chamber on 3 September, demonstrating the effectiveness of the security measures we have in operation.'
The incident has raised concerns about security in the Palace of Westminster, with the Speaker and Clerk of the House being informed of the ongoing investigation.
