Heads must roll Calls for chairman to resign after breach of security

The chairman of the Conservative party, who traditionally has overall control of the running of the annual party conference, was facing calls to resign after the embarrassing security breach.

Sir Patrick Mcloughlin declined to say if he would quit over the Simon Brodkin P45 incident during Theresa May’s speech, but Tory officials and ministers were appalled that Brodkin had been able to get so close to Mrs May and her ministerial team.

One Conservative staffer said: “What if he had been carrying a knife he could have got from the kitchens?”

A senior minister added that senior figures in the party would have to consider their position after the breach.

The minister said: “Heads must roll. Those responsible must walk the plank.

“Where were her close protection? Nothing happened. I was appalled by that.”

Justine

Greening, the Education Secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: “I

was very surprised that somebody was able to get that close to the Prime Minister and also to the Foreign Secretary.

“I don’t know exactly what happened.

“I have no doubt people will want to look at what happened.” But Sir Patrick insisted that the incident “is being looked at”. He added: “There will be an investigation into what happened.

“There will be an inquiry.

“I knew there was sufficient security around the Prime Minister.”