-
Prince William and John Key - Source: Reuters -
Watch Video
-
View Photos
-
Related
The Prime Minister says Prince William was never in any danger
when a radio DJ gatecrashed an official function at Premier
House.
The prankster, 19-year-old Warwick Slow, jumped a fence, armed
with sausages and bread on Monday night, but it has raised serious
questions about the effectiveness of security.
Amid the fancy champagne and crystal at the official barbecue for Prince William was a half-eaten bag of budget bread.
The gatecrasher spent eight minutes on Premiere House grounds before being discovered.
The entire stunt was broadcast live on fledgling radio station X105FM.
Slow went round the side of the house, climbed over a fence and then walked through the cover of trees. He began talking to guests for several minutes before police noticed.
During this time he was on his cellphone to the radio station's host Iain Stables and the stunt was broadcast on air.
Slow says he was trying to do something nice for the prince. He says he had been put up to it by Stables.
"I basically jumped the fence with my sausages and bread, hoping to get them cooked for John Key and Prince William," says Slow.
Security questions
The incident is a major story across Britain, prompting questions about New Zealand's security levels.
Stables, for his part, has ridiculed the security.
"The police, diplomatic protection squad, CIB, I think they do a great job, yeah a great job in fact, especially for an eight-year-old's birthday party," he says.
Prime Minister John Key says the incident happened well before Prince William arrived.
"My understanding was that he had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and he wasn't at any risk because there wasn't any risk to him," says Key.
Inspector Pete Cowan, Wellington Area Commander, says police are reviewing security.
"Future visits of royalty to New Zealand will be looked at. I can tell you that security will be enhanced," says Cowan.
On Tuesday, the radio DJ was feeling only a little red-faced.
"Oh I feel kinda bad for putting the police in a bad light," says Slow.
The station broadcast that its phone had been cut off. But more could happen. Police are considering laying charges although Slow has not yet been arrested.
A spokesman for the prince says the incident is now in the hands of the police, who are investigating whether to lay charges.
Prince William had arrived shortly after 7:30pm at Premiere House and enjoyed a guided tour courtesy of Key and his wife Bronagh before being invited onto the lawn, where Key asked for two beers - one Monteiths and a Tuatara.
The prince helped put fillets on the barbecue, but admitted it wasn't his speciality.
"I've been trying to avoid the barbecue for years at home," he said.
Earlier incident
The security breach was the second incident of the day for police after a man was arrested outside the new Supreme Court.
The man, who was protesting about the Family Court, was shouting obscenities near Key and ignored police warnings to tone down his language, Inspector Greg Gilpin says.
Gilpin says there was "a bit of a scuffle" as the man was arrested, and the protester received a cut to his face.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
-
The changing face of farming (1:49)
-
ONE Weather 6pm update: 26 May (4:56)
