‘Stop Brexit Man’ anti-Tory protester could be prosecuted, police say

Politics

An anti-Brexit protester has had his amplifiers seized from him outside Parliament in line with new laws that came into force on Tuesday.

Steve Bray, known as the “Stop Brexit Man”, was demonstrating in Westminster when police took the equipment.

Under the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act, noisy protests are forbidden in a designated area outside the Houses of Parliament.

Social media videos showed Mr Bray struggling with offers and telling them “hands off” as they took his kit, with one responding: “You’ve already been warned not to turn it on.”

Politics Hub: Sturgeon sets date for new independence referendum

In another video posted on the protester’s Twitter account, a police officer was heard telling Mr Bray he would be summoned to court to get his amplifiers back, while other officers could be heard warning him he could be arrested if he continued to use speakers to play music.

The action by police was welcomed by former minister and Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom, who tweeted: “Steve Bray has spent six years screaming abuse through a loudhailer at me and many others as often as he saw us for the ‘crime’ of trying to fulfil the democratic decision of the UK to leave the EU.

More on Brexit

“This action by the police to stop his violent protest is very welcome.”

But Labour MP and former shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon condemned the new law, adding: “For years, Steve Bray has protested outside the building my office is in. It’s loud and, at times, annoying – just as protests should be!

“It’s another sign of the creeping authoritarianism of this government that the new anti-protest laws are being used to target such protests.”

Articles You May Like

Ban on hair discrimination debated by French MPs
China responsible for two ‘malicious’ cyber attack campaigns in UK, says Dowden
Putin says all four gunmen held after 133 killed in Moscow attack – as he blames Ukraine
Lawsuit filed by Elon Musk’s X against nonprofit CCDH thrown out by judge on free speech grounds
Ahead of sentencing, SBF team argues for 5-6 years in jail because FTX customers will get money back