Comedian gate-crashes Prince William’s 21st birthday party

A STAND-UP comedian who gatecrashes events dressed as Osama bin Laden was the man who burst into Prince William’s 21st birthday party, his father claimed today.

Aaron Barschak, 36, is believed to have slipped past tight security at Windsor Castle on Saturday night and reportedly climbed on stage as the Prince, who was hosting a fancy dress party, was making a speech.

Fred Barschak said he recognised his son as the man being led away by police following the incident but stressed he would not have intended to harm anyone.

Police would not confirm the man’s identity but said a 36-year-old man from London had been arrested on suspicion of burglary, which covers unauthorised people entering premises. The incident sparked concerns over security surrounding the royals and Home Secretary David Blunkett ordered an urgent inquiry into the breach.

Mr Barschak, 72, a property developer from Kilburn, north London, said his son was probably trying to publicise his act.

The comedian dresses up as the notorious al-Qaida leader and goes under the name Comedy Terrorist.

His previous targets have included London Mayor Ken Livingstone and comedians Terry Jones and Graham Norton.

Speaking outside his home in Charteris Road, Mr Barschak said: “I can believe it was him. He would not have been trying to harm anyone, not at all. He is actually not at all anti-royal.

“He is a professional stand-up comedian who is desperate to be a serious actor.”

Barschak had been seen outside Windsor Castle dressed in a pink dress, turban, sunglasses and false beard as guests arrived for Prince William's much-publicised party.

Guests had donned fancy dress in keeping with the Out of Africa theme for the event, including the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the majority of the Royal Family.

At the time, Barschak shouted to reporters and royal watchers: “Happy birthday. Out of Africa, I’m out of this world.”

He then went on to publicise his performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

During his bizarre speech he lifted up the front of his dress to reveal another false beard covering his genital area and declared: “The real hair to the throne.”

He was gently led away from the crowd by a uniformed policeman and wandered off back towards Windsor town centre away from the castle.

Mr Barschak said his son had perfected his technique of slipping into high-profile events by tucking his costume under his shirt and trousers to evade suspicion.

He confronted Mr Livingstone at the anti-war demo in Hyde Park earlier this year, Graham Norton on stage during the London Comedy Festival and Monty Python’s Terry Jones during a tribute show to Goon star Spike Milligan.