A man from south London has been charged after a BBC journalist was chased and shouted at by protesters near Downing Street.
Christopher Aitken, 62, from Brixton, was arrested on Monday and charged on Tuesday with an offence contrary to Section 4A of the Public Order Act.
He was bailed and will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, July 22.
I have lost count of how many times I have been ashamed or embarrassed to be British in the last 5 years. This,👇, is one of those moments, clearly. My very best to @nicholaswatt - bless him. https://t.co/5WI5V3VIwL
— arwen white MCCT 🇪🇺 💙 (@arwenwhite) June 15, 2021
Footage of the incident was shared widely on social media and showed demonstrators confronting the Newsnight political editor Nicholas Watt near Richmond Terrace and Whitehall.
Mr Watt was forced to run from the mob, seeking safety behind police officers stationed near Number 10 as people shouted “traitor” and other slurs at him on Monday last week.
A protest against the Government’s extension of coronavirus restrictions in England by four weeks was taking place in Westminster at the time.
The actions of those who harassed Mr Watt have been condemned, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling the treatment of the journalist “disgraceful”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the safety of journalists is “fundamental to our democracy”.
The BBC said in a statement after the footage was shared: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable.
“All journalists should be able to carry out their work without intimidation or impediment.”
Police have also charged another man Martin Hockridge, 57, of Harpenden, with the same Section 4A offence and he is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 29.
The Met says enquiries into the circumstances are ongoing, and anyone with information should call 101 or tweet @MetCC.
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.
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