NADINE Dorries was forced to call for security during a live interview this morning when a furious passerby started yelling at her cameraman.
Sky News abruptly cut its feed with the Culture Secretary, who was in Birmingham, when the row broke out off screen.
During the interview down the line with presenter anchor Kay Burley, Ms Dorries’ eyes kept darting to the side and shouting could be heard.
Ms Dorries then said: “We’re going to have to go Kay, I’m sorry. Your cameraman is in a little bit of trouble.”
The feed to Birmingham, where Ms Dorries was broadcasting from the Commonwealth Games, kept going and a man could be heard shouting: “Don’t touch me! If you lay a finger on me I’ll have you arrested for assault.”
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Ms Dorries stuck up for the cameraman and 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.”
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!”
Ms Dorries later defended the £778 million cost of hosting the Games at a time when families face cost of living hell.
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.”
