UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Steve Bray, the anti-Brexit activist, was cleared of breaching a police ban for playing protest music outside Parliament, with the judge supporting his rights.
As reported by The Independent News, “Stop Brexit Man” was found not guilty of defying a police ban for playing anti-Brexit and anti-Conservative music, featuring The Muppet Show and Darth Vader themes outside Parliament.
What did Steve Bray do outside Parliament that led to a police ban?
On March 20 last year, Steve Bray played music outside Parliament before then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived for his weekly session of PMQs. Around 11:20 AM, police warned Bray, standing on a traffic island, about the ban on playing speakers in the controlled area.
After a brief pause, he resumed playing the music intermittently, prompting officers to seize the speakers after over an hour.
The activist has gained attention for his protest music in Westminster, including playing D:Ream’s “Things Can Only Get Better” at Downing Street during Sunak’s general election announcement in the rain last May.
Steve Bray cleared of breaching police ban on protest music
The Westminster Magistrates’ Court found Mr. Bray not guilty of breaching the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 related to prohibited activities in Parliament Square.
Representing himself in court, Mr. Bray from Port Talbot, South Wales, defended himself and denied the charge, arguing that playing music was a “fundamental right to protest” and was done “sporadically” rather than continuously.
During the court hearing, Mr Bray told the police their map, which marked where he could use the speakers, was wrong. Body-worn footage showed him repeatedly informing the police that they did not have the right map.
He argued the map was outdated and urged officers to verify it with higher authorities.
What did Judge Anthony Woodcock say about Steve Bray’s right to protest?
Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock recognized Mr Bray’s stance. He remarked, “He believes his is an important message to disseminate,” after Bray admitted he was “anti-Tory.”
The judge said, “He needs the volume that he uses the get the message across from Parliament Street to the Palace of Westminster.”
Judge Woodcock added,
“He says that his strategy needs pictures of him in the media, and he’s spent many hours campaigning and has never been arrested; his relations with police are generally good.”
The judge said Bray had the right to be “fixated” on protest issues, stating his equipment was battery-operated and had restricted capacity.
The district judge stated,
“How he chooses to express those views is a matter for him,” adding, “Lampooning the Government through satire is a long tradition in this country.”
How did Steve Bray defend his protest music outside Parliament?
According to Mr Bray, the Muppets and Darth Vader themes were chosen because ‘we always did this for Rishi’ – apparently, he’s a Star Wars fan.
The court revealed that when informed Mr. Bray couldn’t play there, he responded by sticking his fingers in his ears and saying, “No, it’s not, it’s not, not here–it’s not wrong here.”
Mr Bray told the officers, “I know what I can’t do,” before they told him to stick it “where the sun don’t shine.” He then lit a cigarette and turned away.
What notable incidents have occurred near Parliament over the years?
- 2017: Khalid Masood carried out a terror attack near Parliament, killing five before being shot by police.
- 2008: Conservative MP Damian Green was arrested over leaked Home Office documents, sparking a privilege debate.
- 2019: A man was arrested near Parliament for leaving a suspicious package, triggering a security lockdown.
- 2022: Climate protesters from “Just Stop Oil” were arrested after disrupting Parliament by gluing themselves to furniture.
- 2023: Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested near Parliament for public order offences during a large protest.
- 2024: Just Stop Oil activists were detained after shouting from the Commons gallery, halting proceedings.