A TV interview with Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries was interrupted by an off-camera altercation. Ms Dorries was speaking to Sky News live from Birmingham when the sound of a dispute could be heard in the background.
She was being questioned by Sky’s Kay Burley about the Commonwealth Games when she became distracted by the altercation. “I’m sorry Kay, the Government… I’m afraid we’re going to have to go now,” she said.
She told the presenter “the cameraman’s in a bit of trouble”. A man could be heard shouting: “Touch me then? You can’t because they’ll have you arrested for assault.”
Ms Dorries said: “He’s not touching you.” The man responded: “He can’t touch me madam, what do you mean he ain’t touching me? He can’t, I’ll have him arrested in five seconds flat.”
Ms Dorries told viewers: “The cameraman did not touch him.” Security staff were called to respond to the incident.
Ms Dorries said later: “Eventful start to the media round today but so glad to be here in Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games and to see the amazing impact the Government’s £600 million investment has had on the city and region.
“Fantastic atmosphere — can’t wait for the opening ceremony tonight!”
During the interview, Ms Dorries defended the £778 million cost of hosting the Commonwealth Games at a time when families face rising bills and mounting difficulties. She told Sky News from Birmingham: “It’s not a vanity project… This is hugely important.
“Are you saying we shouldn’t have the Commonwealth Games? I think we are proud and honoured to have picked up the baton when it was dropped elsewhere in the world and to continue to run these Commonwealth Games in the amazing way that we have done.
“Everybody here – thousands of people – are extremely proud, including the volunteers behind me right now, extremely proud of what we’re doing.”
