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Police have arrested two men in connection with a mobile phone found concealed within the parliamentary chamber, which was allegedly designed to emit inappropriate audio during the prime minister’s questions.

Discovery and Probe

The device was located close to the frontbench during a routine sweep of the chamber. Authorities suspect it was meant to interrupt the regular debate between political leaders in September.

An official representative commented, “At 10.25 on that specific date, a device was found during a routine search of the parliamentary hall.”

Arrests and Allegations

Enquiries suggested that the phone was deliberately placed in a location with the intention of causing disruption to business in the chamber.

• An individual in his 30s was arrested on that Friday on suspicion of trying to deliberately cause a disturbance.
• A second person in his 60s was arrested on the following Tuesday on allegations of the identical charge.
• The two have been released on bail to appear at a later date.

Precautions and Impact

Heightened security measures were implemented in the House of Commons after the phone was found. Sound-guided visits and guided tours were called off, and there was reduced access to the Commons chamber.

The upper house took the same decision to reduce access to the Lords Chamber “for safety reasons.”

Officials added, “Investigations continue, and we are updating the parliamentary officials up to date with our probe.”

Seriousness of the Incident

This incident is being regarded as grave as it represents a significant violation of parliamentary security. This device was found while hundreds guards based in the parliamentary area were on strike over wages and terms.

Consequently, visitors were banned from the parliamentary estate. The union stated that the strike went ahead due to cutbacks in holiday time, stagnant pay, and an ethnicity pay gap.