Liz Truss claims Beccles lettuce prank was intended to ‘intimidate’ and ‘suppress free speech’

Liz Truss has claimed that a prank pulled on her last night was intended to “intimidate” her and “suppress free speech”.

The former South West Norfolk MP left the stage during an event held to promote her book after it was interrupted by a banner depicting a lettuce and the words: “I crashed the economy”.

The stunt, organised by the group Led By Donkeys, took place at Beccles Public Hall and has since been widely shared online after cameras captured the moment.

It happened during a discussion on stage between Ms Truss and a host, with the banner gradually emerging from the ceiling above her, apparently controlled remotely.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ms Truss has now said: “What happened last night was not funny.

“Far-left activists disrupted the event, which then had to be stopped for security reasons. This is done to intimidate people and suppress free speech. I won't stand for it.

“Would we see the same reaction if the activists were far-right?”

Ms Truss was not amused following the stunt - and responded by saying “That’s not funny” before leaving the stage.

The lettuce was a reference to Ms Truss’ brief time as Prime Minister, when the Daily Star newspaper held a stunt to see if her time in Downing Street would be outlasted by a decaying iceberg lettuce.