Parliament was thrown into a mild frenzy this week after it was revealed that a mobile phone had been secretly planted in the House of Commons.
The device, reportedly intended as a prank, was set up to play sexually explicit sounds during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), prompting concerns over security lapses.
Prank Averted Before Chaos
Officials discovered the phone during a routine sweep ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s exchange with Kemi Badenoch.
Had it gone off as planned, the prank could have embarrassed MPs and disrupted proceedings.
A source described the situation as “just a prank,” but admitted it had the potential to be far more serious.
Police Launch Investigation
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the phone was found at 10:25 a.m. on Wednesday, 3 September, during a standard check of the Commons chamber.
Officers suspect the device was deliberately positioned to cause disruption.
“An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing,” a police spokesperson said, adding that both the Speaker and Clerk of the House have been updated.
Renewed Concerns About Commons Safety
The incident has sparked fresh worries about security in the Commons, which is open to the public on most mornings.
Past events have shown that pranksters and demonstrators can quickly interrupt proceedings.
In 2019, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion briefly interrupted a Brexit debate, and a glass partition costing £1.4 million was installed after a 2004 stunt involving flour-filled condoms aimed at Tony Blair.
A History of Disruptive Pranks
Wednesday’s prank is reminiscent of a 2023 incident when a mobile phone played explicit audio during the BBC’s live coverage of a football match, causing disruption for presenter Gary Lineker.
In that case, a YouTube prankster later admitted responsibility.
Parliament Responds
A Parliament spokesperson reassured the public: “Parliament is a public building, and we welcome thousands of visitors each week.
The safety and security of everyone here is our top priority.
We have robust security measures, including screening visitors and their belongings, monitoring public areas, and routine searches.”
The spokesperson noted that the discovery of the phone on 3 September demonstrated the effectiveness of these precautions.
What Comes Next?
While no one was harmed, the incident serves as a reminder that even well-monitored institutions can be vulnerable to pranks.
Parliament is likely to review and tighten security measures further to prevent any repeat disruptions.