Theresa May Gets Warm Welcome In Wrexham
Theresa May decided to leave Wrexham via the back door this morning, after a protester was arrested during her arrival.
Mrs May was in Wrexham to launch the Conservatives Welsh manifesto, in a speech that also contained ‘clarification’ or a ‘u-turn’ over social care plans depending on your point of view.
Mrs May herself arrived shortly before 11am at the Gresford Memorial Hall, before greeting Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns and Wrexham Conservative candidate, Andrew Atkinson.
The exact location of where Mrs May would be launching the manifesto was kept top secret until just a few hours before the event. Wrexham.com did not get the formal media invite, only being half added to the entry list after querying what was occurring after local tip offs.
Even then a single media pass was hastily made available after some rushed calls early this morning, so we declined to enter the venue to cover the launch due to the non-parity with other media.
Thus we just filmed Mrs May’s arrival, an arrest, and her departure – plus some beautiful ducks on Gresford pond.
We were also not been given a copy of her speech so are unable to provide details of that in this article.
Due to the above we would advise readers find other accounts of her lengthy speech and what the Welsh Conservative Manifesto contains, where you could find out if the duck below will get an answer to his issue:
A duck outside tells us he is concerned about Brexit and how freedom of movement to The Flash will be affected pic.twitter.com/WCw1McjiaY
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Our full video of the visit is below, and includes the arrival, arrest (and media scrum), Mrs May opting for the back door plus a couple of very quick questions with Andrew Atkinson
Police confirmed one 25-year-old man arrested for Breach of the Peace, but North Wales Police has since confirmed the man has been released without charge.
Supt Nick Evans who led the Policing response said “A mixture of on-lookers and protestors had gathered outside the location and in the vicinity of the venue. In the main they were well behaved however one particular person, despite a number of warnings was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace.”
“The man was arrested due to his behaviour and conveyed to a local Police Station. He has since been released without charge.”
“Our Policing operation today was proportionate and necessary. We have a responsibility to allow peaceful protest and to maintain public order to ensure public safety and uphold the law. I’m glad to report this was respected by the overwhelming majority of those gathered today and the PM’s actual visit and departure passed without further incident.
“I’m grateful for the cooperation and help from the local community and residents this morning and I’m now able to say the area has returned to normality.”
Below is an archive of our live tweets from this morning…
Big bus in Gresford just now pic.twitter.com/8d6EGipvBl
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Theresa May arrives in Wrexham – protestor with hunting horn arrested and carried away by police – full video pic.twitter.com/doCHDFdy4T
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Protestor was described by a supporter as ‘anti Tory’ – shorter vid of arrival pic.twitter.com/TduEp8Welc
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Mrs May is addressing Conservatives inside the Gresford Mem Hall – a few more police have appeared, but all is quiet outside. pic.twitter.com/tvcIRv4G76
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
A duck outside tells us he is concerned about Brexit and how freedom of movement to The Flash will be affected pic.twitter.com/WCw1McjiaY
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
A departure committee is assembling for Mrs May – more people, without lanyards etc ‘real’ people – than when she arrived & area was sterile pic.twitter.com/tvrXeHhORs
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Bit of a shouty debate in group outside as someone accuses someone of wearing a ‘facist shirt’ & being part of right wing org. Man denies.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Man enquires to police at door wanting to go in… ‘Is it an open event?’ Politely told no. Faux shock then ‘oh, there is a surprise’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Spectators ushered behind cordon – good natured chat with security and crowd – however imagine things will become raucous shortly! pic.twitter.com/CkwdRq4acr
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Mrs May choses to leave Wrexham via the back door pic.twitter.com/32kGe4yceT
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
Bloke arrested earlier at event in Gresford – “since been released without charge”, police say op was ‘proportionate and necessary’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) May 22, 2017
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