JD Vance sparked outrage when his huge security convoy took up all of the disabled parking spaces at a posh Cotswolds farm shop, and allegedly demanded villagers’ socia media details.
Locals blasted the U.S. Vice President for Secret Service agents parking in bays reserved for motorists with mobility issues at Daylesford Organic, near Chipping Norton.
They cordoned off the whole area to keep a close eye on Donald Trump‘s deputy during the first full day of his family holiday in Oxfordshire during their trip to Britain.
It comes after police working with Vance’s Secret Service detail were accused of demanding villagers’ social media details as part of the security lockdown surrounding his farm – a claim they have denied.
Thames Valley Police insisted villagers living in the security buffer in Dean were only spoken to by officers to ensure they could pass through the blockade unhindered. The force vehemently denies people were asked about their social media accounts.
However, speaking to the Observer, one dog walker from hamlet said: ‘We have had the police knocking on every door. They wanted the names of everybody living there and details of their social media. I know several people refused.’
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told the Daily Mail: ‘[We] are supporting the United States during the Vice President’s visit to our area to ensure the safety of all involved.
‘A restricted access area has been put in place in a small part of Dean as part of our operation.
‘We spoke to affected residents to ensure we are able to facilitate movement within the restricted access area. Residents were under no obligation to answer any questions and were not asked about social media.’
On Sunday, agents with ear-pieces parked their large black SUV’s outside the front of Daylesford Organic – usually earmarked for Blue Badge disabled permits – to monitor the Vice President as he was shown around by Tory ‘super-donor’ and billionaire digger boss Lord Antony Bamford.
Lord Bamford’s wife, Lady Carole, set up Daylesford Organic in 2002, with the shop previously hitting the headlines for charging £950 for a wicker-style blanket basket.
Vance is believed to have stayed in the shop for around three hours and to have taken particular interest in the bread counter, where he was seen trying samples.
But residents are fuming with the chaos and disruption after his massive motorcade, made up of 22 vehicles, sent the countryside into lockdown when it arrived on Monday afternoon.
Those living there have faced road closures and security checkpoints manned by police with sniffer dogs – as Vance heads to and from his country manor in the hamlet of Dean.
JD Vance sparked outrage when his huge security convoy took up all of the disabled parking spaces at a posh Cotswolds farm shop
Those living nearby have faced road closures and security checkpoints manned by police with sniffer dogs
Daylesford Organic, which is situated on 3,500 acres of farmland, is known for its upmarket goods
One shopper who was prevented from visiting Daylesford Organic fumed: ‘The disabled parking spaces are right in front of the entrance.
‘That whole area was black SUV’s. They took up the whole f****** car park.
‘It meant that I couldn’t get to Daylesford. It is annoying a lot of people because it’s so over the top.’
Another local took to social media and said: ‘For God’s sake! So JD Vance’s security think it is completely acceptable to take every single disabled allocated parking space at Daylesford Farm.
‘Ghastly and totally wrong and inconsiderate, is me being polite. We don’t want him and his 22 security vehicles on our manor! Leave us alone.’
William Martin, Communications Director to the Vice President, said: ‘The Vice President’s Office and Secret Service were unaware of any efforts by local police to collect residents’ social media information.
‘We greatly appreciate the effort our law enforcement partners put in to keeping the Vice President safe, but any questions about security measures are best directed to the law enforcement agency responsible.’
Daylesford Organic, which is situated on 3,500 acres of farmland, is known for its upmarket goods.
Pictured: the disabled parking bays in front of the store
Vance’s presence in the English countryside has attracted some criticism with locals complaining of disruption and left–leaning protesters flocking to the area
A poster depicting a viral meme of the Vice President was displayed on a billboard in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Items on sale when the Daily Mail visited in October last year included Swedish side tables priced at £3,500 each and a £6,950 burnt cedar wood ‘kindled’ bowl.
Vance’s visit to Daylesford Organic comes after his motorcade was seen passing through Chipping Norton afternoon on route to the 18th century Dean Manor, where he is staying.
All entrances to the hamlet of Dean – two roads and three public footpaths – are sealed off by police roadblocks
Only residents were allowed in and out, dog walkers were diverted, and those entering the area were subject to searches.
One local councillor labelled the heavy security presence ‘intimidating’ and compared the sight of guards in suits and sunglasses patrolling quiet lanes to scenes from Men In Black.
‘We understand that people do need security but I think they haven’t been discreet about it,’ said councillor Andy Graham.
‘I think that tends to generate more concern than is necessary. Roads have been closed up.’
Vance arrived in the Cotswolds with his wife, Usha, and children – Ewan, eight, Vivek, five, and Mirabel, three – after the family drove up from London where they had a private tour of Hampton Court on Sunday.
Mr Vance was given a morning tour of Henry VIII’s former residence – forcing the site to delay its public opening to 12pm.
He appears to have finished his official business after making a brief trip on Friday to Chevening House, the official residence of British foreign secretary David Lammy.
But he is set to meet Nigel Farage for breakfast later today having spent last night with The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner.
The US politician and reality TV star’s unlikely friendship began on X and resulted in Skinner receiving an invite to join Mr Vance at his Cotswolds holiday residence for a barbecue where other guests included Cambridge academic James Orr and Conservative MP Danny Kruger.
The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner pictured with JD Vance, who invited him to a barbecue
The Essex trader, who is known for his catchphrase ‘Bosh’, said the opportunity was ‘once in a lifetime’ – and dubbed the Vice President a ‘proper gent’.
A picture of the pair was shared on Skinner’s social media last night. He wrote: ‘Here is a pic of me and Vice President JD Vance towards the end of the night after a few beers.
‘I’m overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don’t risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops.
‘Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh.’
In another reply, he added: ‘When the Vice President of the USA invites ya for a BBQ and beers, you say yes.’
Meanwhile Vance’s presence in the English countryside has attracted some criticism with locals complaining of disruption and left–leaning protesters flocking to the area.
Jeremy Clarkson said his new summer neighbour has interrupted the filming of Clarkson’s Farm as the secret service swarms the surrounding countryside and a no–fly zone has been put in place.
Motoring journalist turned farmer Clarkson said that the one mile no-fly zone around Vance’s Cotswolds manor house rental is preventing drone cameramen on his Amazon Prime show from doing their job.
Protestors have also descended on the countryside for a ‘JD Vance not welcome party.’
A masked protester during a ‘Vance not welcome party’ organised by Stop Trump Coalition in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, on August 12
Protesters pose with banners and placards
The Stop Trump Coalition has been leading protests against both Mr Trump and Mr Vance’s visits, and vowed to come out in force later today.
‘JD Vance is a hideous moral vacuum and the British public want nothing to do with him,’ said spokeswoman Zoe Gardner.
‘It is nauseating to watch ministers’ displays of fake friendship with this authoritarian, anti-democratic, genocide-enabling US regime.
‘We will be throwing a ‘Vance Not Welcome’ party – using our free speech to let him know he and his politics of hate are not welcome in the Cotswolds or any part of our country.’
Vance is already considering following up his Cotswold holiday with a visit to Ayrshire later this week, prompting police to ready a ‘significant policing operation’ involving as many as 1,000 officers.
The massive security operation surrounding Dean Manor has led its owner to apologise to neighbours for the disruption.
The enormous property, where the Vice-President is staying, is located in a tiny hamlet of just 12 houses in Oxfordshire, and was picked out by US secret service personnel because of its remote secure location.
The picturesque town of Charlbury in Oxfordshire, where JD Vance is staying on his visit
The 18th century Grade II listed Dean Manor where JD Vance is staying
Stone walls 15ft tall protect its immaculately manicured six acre gardens.
The house, which was built 1702 in the reign of Queen Anne, is surrounded by teams of US secret service operatives dressed in regulation navy blue sports jackets and khaki chino trousers who are guarding the property around the clock.
The manor house’s owner, Pippa Hornby, was also sworn to secrecy on the imminent arrival of her new high–profile tenant. It is believed the rental may cost as much as £8,000 a week.
Fittingly for right–wing Republican Vice President Vance, the manor house has a history of Tory political figures as previous owners.
It even has a former Tory Prime Minister living a very short stroll away.
Dean Manor – built for local Oxford Tory MP Thomas Rowney – is Grade II listed and was until recently owned by Tory peer Peter Selwyn Gummer, Baron Chadlington.
Former Tory Prime Minister David Cameron – who is also known as Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton – also lives in Dean with his wife Samantha and he has a permanent team of armed Metropolitan Police Protection officers at his home there.
Dean Manor is about a mile from Clarkson’s own Cotswolds home, Curdle Hill Farm, better known as Diddly Squat Farm and only the TV star’s arable fields separate the two properties.
