Police stop Banzai's Queen Mum skit

Police stepped in to stop a stunt that spoof game show Banzai planned for the Queen Mother's funeral.

Officers intervened when a TV crew tried to set up speed cameras to capture the cortege travelling from Westminster to Windsor.

The Channel 4 show was planning to invite viewers to bet on the speed of the hearse as it drove along Cromwell Road in west London,

But police parked vans in front of the crew to prevent them from filming, and confiscated equipment..

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "They were given words of advice about their behaviour in relation to security and road safety. Property was temporarily confiscated but no criminal offence took place. No further action will be taken by police."

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "Banzai was covering the Queen Mother's funeral in its own inimitable way. No harm or disrespect was intended."

Published: 11 Apr 2002