The Conservative Party conference was locked down following a "potential security alert" before Kwasi Kwarteng's big speech.
Journalists were told that no one was allowed in or out of the Birmingham International Convention Centre this afternoon, as crowds gathered around the centre.
Security told people to remain in the secure zone surrounding the conference "for their safety", according to eyewitnesses.
Birmingham Police said at 4pm: "Due to a potential security alert we have temporarily restricted access to and from the ICC. Further updates to follow."
The security restrictions were lifted an hour later from the conference centre, where top figures in the Government and the Conservative party are gathered for their four-day annual conference.
The alert came shortly before the Chancellor was due to give a highly anticipated speech to Tory party faithful after days of economic turmoil following his mini-Budget.
Mr Kwarteng confirmed this morning that he would scrap plans to abolish the 45p top income tax rate for the richest Brits following a major outcry.
A version of his speech trailed to journalists last night said: "We must stay the course".
But news broke late last night that the Government was poised to scrap the tax cut, which Mr Kwarteng confirmed this morning.
Opening his speech to conference, he gave a nod to the chaos, saying: "What a day.
"It has been tough but we need to focus on the job in hand.
"We need to move forward. No more distractions. We have a plan and we need to get on and deliver it."
He admitted his tax-slashing mini-Budget had "caused a little turbulence" in the markets.
Mr Kwarteng went on: "I get it. I get it. We are listening and have listened, and now I want to focus on delivering the major parts of our growth package."
He added: "Because with energy bills skyrocketing, a painful Covid aftermath, war on our continent, a 70-year high tax burden, slowing global growth rates and glacially slow infrastructure delivery, we couldn't simply do nothing.
"We can't sit idly by. What Britain needs more than ever is economic growth."
