Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER Published: 10:24 BST, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 12:43 BST, 22 June 2026
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray this morning drowned out Keir Starmer's resignation speech with loud music - prompting renewed calls to 'unplug his amplifier'.The Prime Minister talked up his achievements as he took to the podium outside No10 where he announced he is quitting.He acknowledged that his time had run out, saying: 'I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party... the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next.'But some spectators were left unable to hear the apparently heartfelt speech - as the notorious activist blasted the song Ode to Joy in a display of 'defiance' against Brexit.It marked the latest in a series of stunts by the protester - who previously blared Labour's 1997 theme song Things Can Only Get Better by D:Ream over megaphone as Rishi Sunak announced a snap election in 2024.Today's spectacle has prompted questions as to why officials seem 'unable to unplug Bray's amplifier'.One commentator said: 'It is absurd that we live in a country that is enthusiastic to arrest people for tweets, but seemingly unable to unplug Steve Bray's amplifier whenever a Prime Minister resigns. 'There's a legitimacy to people shouting at the end of Downing Street. But amplifying your voice or music with a massive speaker? P*** off.'The Prime Minister talked up his achievements as he took to the podium outside No10 this morning where he announced he is quitting - but his speech was drowned out Pro-European Union campaigner Steve Bray is pictured with a placard at protests in London earlier this monthHello @metpoliceukA genuine question that many of are asking and to which it would be great to get a reply.Why do you allow Steve Bray to drown out prime ministerial announcements outside No. 10 with his amplified music?This isn't a trivial question. The Nation has a right…— John Jones (@ThatJohnJones) June 22, 2026 Steve Bray is a menace. Allow the man his dignity.— Greg Ashman (@greg_ashman) June 22, 2026 Steve Bray should be arrested for public nuisance. Loud music is not acceptable, particularly when PM are addressing the nation. Why do the police not stop him?— AnnetteV (@anetevt) June 22, 2026 Another person said: 'Steve Bray is a menace. Allow the man his dignity.'But a third added: 'To be fair to Steve Bray I admire his commitment to holding a grudge and being a professional hater.'It comes as officers took action against Bray last year for allegedly breaching a police ban - though he was subsequently cleared of wrongdoing by a judge.The judge went on to say one of the people complaining about his protests 'lacked a certain robustness'. This morning, Sir Keir said there would be an 'orderly' process to choose his replacement as Prime Minister. He said a successor would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16 if there is only one candidate - Andy Burnham. Otherwise the decision could take until August.However, Sir Keir became emotional as he paid tribute to the support from his family - saying he would now focus on being the 'best husband' and the 'best dad'.Close colleagues had gathered outside in the street to watch the news be delivered. Bray, a perennial presence in Westminster, was heard playing the EU anthem through speakers nearby.Mr Burnham - who has rallied huge support from Labour MPs since romping home in the Makerfield by-election last week - is due to be sworn in at the Commons at 2.30pm. Steve Bray was seen playing the tune over from a speaker outside Downing Street during Rishi Sunak's speech in 2024But Nigel Farage immediately joined calls - including from some Labour MPs - for a general election to accompany the change at the top.The PM returned to Downing Street from Chequers early this morning, after spending the weekend locked in talks with wife Victoria and close aides. He spoke to the King, who is at his Highgrove residence, by phone before making the announcement.In May 2024, anti-Conservative protesters, including Bray, played Tony Blair's election song Things Can Only Get Better during Rishi Sunak's snap election announcement.The song was adopted by the Labour Party in their promotional video during the 1997 campaign. Tony Blair later won a landslide with 418 seats in that election. Bray, who unsuccessfully ran for the Liberal Democrats in the 2019 general election, was allowed to blast out the New Labour anthem from the end of Downing Street.The noise could clearly be heard above the PM's speech on news bulletins. Although it cut out, this was a result of the rain damaging the speakers rather than the police intervening.Bray, known as Stop Brexit Man, wrote on social media afterwards: 'We had a good run at Downing Street but both amplifiers got soaked and blown.'He added later: 'Police just served an order on me and banned me from every street around Whitehall and Parliament. Apparently two people complained. Probably Rishi Sunak and his wife.'Bray has been playing music at up to 90 decibels in Westminster for several years despite clashing with MPs and police. He tried to disrupt Boris Johnson's farewell speech outside No 10 in 2022 by blasting out the Benny Hill theme.One commentator said this morning: 'Prime Ministers come, Prime Ministers go, but Steve Bray's jukebox remains.'
