Liz Truss leaves stage in Beccles as 'lettuce' banner unfurls
The ex-leader publicly endorsed Donald Trump as a banner gradually unfurled.
BBC News has reported on events happening in the eastern part of England.
Liz Truss left the stage during a public event when a banner with a lettuce image and the phrase "I caused the economy to fail" was displayed above her.
The ex-leader of the country was giving a speech at Beccles Public Hall in Suffolk when the banner suddenly showed up.
A video shared on an external platform on X showed that the speech was abruptly halted, with Ms Truss stating "that's not amusing" before leaving the stage.
The activist group Led By Donkeys admitted to being behind the prank.
The group shared on social media that Liz Truss is currently participating in a speaking tour that supports Trump. In response, they decided to display a remote-controlled lettuce banner in a strategic location.
She didn't think it was amusing.
Ms Truss gave a talk in Beccles on Tuesday night to raise awareness about her latest book.
On the video, she suddenly goes silent when she notices the banner in the background.
After that, she asked "What is that?" and the host responded, "I don't know where it came from."
After her performance ended, some people in the crowd laughed and others gave her a round of applause.
Ben Stewart, who helped start Led By Donkeys, was at the event on Tuesday. He said, "Liz Truss is trying to associate herself with Trump and the extreme right in the US."
Occasionally, it can be effective to use humor when dealing with the far right.
Politics: A Matter Of Differing Opinions
Prior to the event, a representative from Beccles Public Hall encouraged attendees to "be respectful".
A Facebook advertisement posted last week stated: "We understand that people have different views on politics."
We do suggest that any conversation should remain polite and respectful.
In 2022, when Ms Truss was prime minister for 49 days, Daily Star newspaper set up a live webcam to see if her time in office would last longer than a 60p iceberg lettuce outside.
She made a mini-Budget that caused economic chaos because it had £45bn in tax cuts that were not backed by funds.
Ms Truss, who represented the Conservatives in the South West Norfolk area since 2010, was defeated in the recent general election.
Photograph courtesy of the Daily Star
Nearly 20,000 viewers watched the webcam to celebrate the lettuce.
Paul Williams, a 54-year-old entrepreneur from Beccles, expressed that what Led By Donkeys accomplished at Beccles Public Hall was the most impressive thing he has witnessed.
I have noticed that my mortgage payments have gone up, and I think everyone else has experienced this as well due to the small budget adjustments.
"I completely support Led By Donkeys and I am a strong advocate for their cause."
Picture credit, Andrew Turner/BBC
Mr Williams called the stunt "amazing".
Leanne Howes, 43, who is currently in Beccles from the nearby town of Lowestoft, supported Ms Truss' freedom to express her opinions.
I don't particularly like Liz Truss, but I believe that everyone has the right to speak their mind on stage and express their goals.
"We have the freedom to speak our minds... Every person has the opportunity to share their opinions, even if we may not agree with them," she commented.
Ms Truss has been asked to provide a comment.
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