‘Cease Brexit man’ Steve Bray cleared over noisy protest

An anti-Brexit activist has been cleared of breaching a police ban after enjoying music on loudspeakers at a protest exterior Parliament in London.

Steve Bray, 56, confronted trial over the incident on Parliament Sq., which occurred earlier than then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was questioned by MPs within the Home of Commons on 20 March final 12 months.

Mr Bray, often called “Cease Brexit man”, denied the cost and had beforehand informed the courtroom enjoying music was a part of his “elementary proper to protest”.

On Monday, Mr Bray was discovered not responsible of failing to observe a police order, in a listening to at Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom.

Handing down his judgement, Deputy District Choose Anthony Woodcock mentioned of Mr Bray: “He admitted that he’s ‘anti-Tory’, which is his phrases.

“He believes his is a vital message to disseminate. He wants the amount that he makes use of the get the message throughout from Parliament Road to the Palace of Westminster.”

The defendant, from Port Talbot, south Wales, seemed as much as the general public gallery and was given a thumbs up by considered one of his supporters following the decision.

Talking exterior the courtroom after the decision, Mr Bray mentioned: “As we speak is a vital day, not only for us as protesters, however for everyone’s freedom of expression.

“No matter your protest is, this can be a victory for you.”

When requested whether or not he would proceed to play music at protests exterior Parliament, the activist mentioned he deliberate to “stick with it as we’re”.

Mr Bray is thought for enjoying loud music at protests in Westminster, together with D:Ream’s Issues Can Solely Get Higher on the gates of Downing Road when Sunak introduced the final election within the pouring rain final Could.

Police approached Mr Bray at about 11:20 on 20 March final 12 months, minutes earlier than Sunak arrived forward of Prime Minister’s Questions.

Mr Bray had been enjoying edits of the Muppets and Darth Vader themes on his audio system.

The songs have been used “because the prime minister got here in, which is what we at all times did for Rishi – apparently he is a Star Wars fan”, the activist informed the courtroom.

Officers handed him a map and a discover that warned him he was prohibited from enjoying the audio system within the managed space underneath a by-law, the courtroom heard.

The courtroom heard the music resumed intermittently and shortly after 12:33, officers seized the audio system.

Mr Bray had been accused of failing with out cheap excuse to adjust to a path given underneath the Police Reform and Social Accountability Act 2011 “re prohibited actions in Parliament Sq.”.

His trial beforehand heard Mr Bray had informed police their map, illustrating the place he couldn’t use the audio system, was incorrect.

Physique-worn footage featured Mr Bray, sporting a yellow and blue prime hat, repeatedly telling police “you have acquired the unsuitable map”.

He mentioned it was outdated and officers would be taught that by asking somebody greater up within the chain of command.

When informed he was not allowed to play the music there, Mr Bray caught his fingers in his ears and mentioned: “No it isn’t, it isn’t, not right here – it isn’t unsuitable right here”, the courtroom heard.

“I do know what I am unable to do”, he mentioned, suggesting officers stick it “the place the solar do not shine” earlier than lighting a cigarette and searching away.

A number of witnesses described to the courtroom the detrimental impression of Mr Bray’s music, heard as excessive because the sixth flooring in close by buildings.

After listening to this, Mr Bray apologised at an earlier courtroom listening to.