A swarm of crickets have been released at a gender-critical event this afternoon, sparking chaos in a conference hall in central London.
Footage from the LGB Alliance conference in Westminster shows the moment numerous egg boxes of the six-legged pests were tipped over just as a speaker had kicked off her address.
Attendees were seen scarpering as the crickets spread under the auditorium seats – while onlookers looked horrified as the insects were let loose.
The LGB Alliance has laid the blame on four “saboteurs” who deliberately released the animals – while audience members on social media shared photos of two of the “protesters”.
Numerous egg boxes of the six-legged pests were tipped over just as a speaker had kicked off her address
X
One of said “saboteurs” was apprehended by police – but it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made.
DJ Lippy, who was at the event, released a video on social media detailing what she saw.
She said: “The culprits have been detained. There were two in the main auditorium which I saw… [Who] basically set off a horde of locusts at the gay rights event.
“So, I’m like, well done guys – you’ve really surpassed yourselves. Westboro Baptist Church would be proud. Everything’s going ahead – we’re just going to have a little minor delay.
“It’s quite interesting that the moment they decided to strike”, Lippy added, was when US trans whistleblower Jamie Reed was speaking.
MORE LIKE THIS:
Footage from the event showed the insects scampering across the floor
X
“Keep on keeping on – a few insects won’t stop us,” she vowed.
The LGB Alliance’s Robert Jessel wrote on social media: “It’s the perfect allegory – cockroaches invading the LGB movement in an vain attempt to shut us up.”
A statement from the group read: “This afternoon, saboteurs attempted to disrupt LGB Alliance annual conference by releasing live crickets into the main hall of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster.
“The conference continued, although some planned sessions were cancelled while the venue’s staff dealt with the incident.
“Police were immediately informed and at least one of the saboteurs was apprehended. No further details on the perpetrators are available at this time.”
Audience members were forced off their seats by the horde
X
While LGB Alliance CEO Kate Barker said: “It’s a sad end to what’s been a wonderful day. It was distressing to see thousands of insects killed for the sole purpose of trying to disrupt the UK’s only conference for same-sex-attracted people.
“This attempted sabotage speaks volumes about our opponents.
“For years, gender identity ideologists have infested the LGB movement, bullying and silencing anyone who disagrees with them.
“It’s especially sad that the perpetrators don’t seem to realise that the men and women gathered here today fought for their right to be gay, lesbian and bisexual.
“This has only brought us together and made us more determined to fight against the renewed rise of homophobia, which is all the more dangerous for coming wrapped in the rainbow flag.”
Writing on social media, one attendee called the activists “absolutely vile”.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said no arrests had been made, telling GB News: “Police were called at 4.24pm on Friday, October 11, to a report of a protest at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Broad Sanctuary.
“Four protestors were reported to have released a number of insects inside the venue. They were detained by security and escorted from the premises by appropriate adults.
“Police have their details and an investigation into the circumstances remains ongoing.”
