AIBU to think bodyguards were slow to protect Kier Starmer just now?!!

[starmerllama]

I'm a bit of a politics nerd and watching Kier Starmer's conference speech today.

Just after he walked on stage a protester ran over and threw glitter all over him. It was very sudden but seemed to take ages for anyone to remove the protester and he was standing right next to Starmer shouting for what felt like ages before anyone came on stage - he looked unhinged.

Regardless of your politics AIBU to think it's terrible that Starmer didn't have better security and bodyguards? The guy could have been armed or attacked him.

Afterwards they eventually dragged the man away but no-one seemed to help Kier Starmer who stood looking bewildered. He seems pretty shaken but good for him he carried on. It must have been quite scary though for such a big moment.

He's now coated in glitter and not one of his team came out with a towel or even tried to help him brush it off! I thought it would have been fine for them to check he was ok, give him a glass of water etc, the poor bloke!

Just watching now. I wondered why he had glitter on him.

I'm guessing they have security at the entrance so v unlikely he could have been armed with an actual weapon. I'd not like to live in a country where security guards and armed police are out in force at every event. Yes occasional terrible things happen like Jo Co, but its v rare.

I was also surprised at how long it took before anyone reacted. Thankfully he was only armed with glitter.

I agree, KS looked quite scared and shocked for a moment.
No matter your political views, no one should be assaulted at work, whether that’s just glitter or not.
MPs have been killed in situations like this, his security should have done much better.

Yes, it could have been acid!

He's done really well not letting it affect his speaking.

His hands were actually shaking as he was saying that it didn't bother him, so he was clearly shaken. He and his security were bloody lucky it was just glitter. There are enough examples of this stuff happening and people being stabbed and killed that the security should have been much tighter than that. Really shameful.

Yes I saw that. Bless him - it must have been really scary indeed.

The "security" didn't even look like official Leader of the Opposition secret police but more like the agency staff from the conference centre!

I was also surprised at how long it took to remove them.

It did seem to take too long, and anyone would be shaken. He did really well to regain his composure so quickly.

I think the glitter suits him.

The “protestor” had hands on KS for several seconds. A lot could have happened it that time and it looked like everyone just sat there like dummies.

Well hopefully Labour will learn their lesson and increase their security!

What was the protestor angry about?

Sadly, par for the course with the "rent a mob" security staff used at these big venues and like at football matches etc. They're basically one step up from pub bouncers and havn't a clue what to do when something actually happens that needs their action. The reality is that they're just there in numbers to give the illusion of strict security. Very strange that Starmer didn't have his own personal security guard close at hand to protect him.

Was it just stop oil? Similar happened to Teresa may when she was pm. Not good at all!

I agree @user1497207191 and I had thought that recently he has been going round with secret police etc. But this was abysmal!

No I don't think it was Just Stop Oil. He was ranting something about democracy. Plus the glitter looks green, not their trademark orange. Considering how much airtime he got the protester didn't do a good job of making his point clearly did he!

Considering the platform the protestor got himself it seems pretty rubbish to not get your message across! At least just stop oil/insulate Britain make their point!

I saw it too and felt sick! He could have done anything and nobody moved.
Starmer has personal security because he’s leader of the opposition. Where the hell where they?!

Yeah that was a very poor response from security.

Despite a genuine disgust I have in the man and I do, what happened was atrocious.
After Jo Cox's and David Amess' murders, you'd think security would be super tight:(

Agreed Really poor security

No, but they were bragging on Twitter about how they'd managed to get into the conference after previously being banned. No idea who it was because he was incoherent. Nor do I care. Starmer must have had an awful shock.

The security should be ex SAS level in these days

I agree - although I missed the attack only saw him speaking and thought- wow his hair looks great- as if it’s sparkly! Of course glad it wasn’t serious- no one should be attacked for doing their job

I agree it was far too long. I suspect the guy got in under false pretences and was seen as 'safe'.

Yeah, they took their damn time.

Considering Jo Cox and David Amess I can't believe they don't have tighter security and faster reaction times. They need to be like the Americans