Piers Corbyn found guilty of breaking coronavirus rules during anti-lockdown protest in Hyde Park

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s brother was handed an absolute discharge, and told supporters outside court the outcome was a “tremendous result”
Piers Corbyn court case
Piers Corbyn as Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday
PA
Michael Howie2 December 2020
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Piers Corbyn has been found guilty of breaking coronavirus laws during an anti-lockdown protest at London's Hyde Park.

District Judge Sam Goozee found the charge proven that he breached coronavirus rules during a gathering at Speakers' Corner on May 16.

Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, wrote in his notepad as the judge delivered his verdict following a two-day hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Returning his decision, the judge said: "Without the regulations in place, your conduct would have been lawful.

"But the enforcement of regulations was necessary for public health.

"Police took a measured response. You, however, didn't engage with police - police action in arresting you was necessary and proportionate."

Corbyn was handed an absolute discharge - meaning he will not be fined or face any further punishment - after the judge heard he had spent 12 hours in custody after being arrested.

Prosecutor David Povall described how Corbyn, 73, was a "poster boy for disparate groups" protesting at the time. 

Piers Corbyn being apprehended by police during a second protest at Hyde Park on May 30. The judge ruled police were wrong to arrest him and threw out a second charge against him
Getty Images

He previously told the court that the gatherings on May 16 featured about 100 or more people and could be characterised as "anti-lockdown", with those present "engaged in a protest concerning issues around coronavirus and the coronavirus regulations".

Mr Povall told the court on Wednesday: "The Crown submits that the rally or demonstration on May 16 is not one where the court should find there's a reasonable excuse for breaching clear and emphatic regulations that were in force at the time.

"Mr Corbyn was an experienced campaigner... and was simply not prepared to comply with the lawful directions of police officers who were enforcing the law.

"They were left with no option but to arrest him in order to break up that unlawful gathering."

Defence counsel Ben Cooper QC said the decision to arrest Corbyn was in contravention of his right to protest.

He also cited a tweet from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, responding to anti-racism rallies the following month, that "people have a right to protest peacefully", and said the police decision to arrest him was "disproportionate and unnecessary". 

Mr Cooper told the court: "Mr Corbyn was participating in a gathering, he had reasonable excuse in relation to his right to peaceful protest.

"The crown interfered with his rights in a manner that was disproportionate and unnecessary."

Corbyn did not give evidence in his defence.

Earlier, Mr Goozee threw out a second charge against the defendant after he ruled the police were wrong to arrest Corbyn hours after he was handed a fixed penalty notice during a second protest at Hyde Park on May 30.

Addressing around two dozen supporters outside the court after the verdict, Corbyn raised his fist in the air and said: "We've had a tremendous result."

None of those present were social distancing.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in