Advertisement

Piers Corbyn announces 'drink against curfew' event - at his own trial over breaking COVID rules

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2020/09/26: Piers Corbyn addresses the crowds at the We Do Not Consent protest. The demonstration in Trafalgar Square London was against Lock down, Social Distancing, Track and Trace & wearing of face masks. (Photo by Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Piers Corbyn again addressed crowds at the We Do Not Consent protest in Trafalgar Square on 26 September (Dave Rushen/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Anti-lockdown protester Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, has said he plans to “drink against the curfew” in defiance of government lockdown guidelines.

Corbyn, of East Street, Southwark, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, charged with two counts of participating in a gathering in public of more than two people during the coronavirus emergency period relating to anti-lockdown protests on 16 and 30 May.

Corbyn denies the charges and on Friday his trial was delayed over the apparent late disclosure of prosecution material.

Watch: Piers Corbyn plans “drink against the curfew”

Outside the court, the 73-year-old weather forecaster told reporters there would be “another drink against the curfew” organised for Friday night.

He said: “Just to let you know that tonight, in a place as yet unrealised, but if you go on Twitter you’ll find out, we’re going to have another drink against the curfew – where allegedly someone’s going to be blowing fire.”

When asked if the fire-breather would be him, he replied: “Well, it could be me, let’s see. And also there’s going to be someone juggling, so it will be a bit of fun.”

Speaking before the hearing, Corbyn announced that he would refuse to pay any fine handed down to him for the offences, if found guilty

Police lead away Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as protesters gather in breach of lockdown rules in Hyde Park in London after the introduction of measures to bring the country out of lockdown. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)
Police arrested Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, on 16 May after protesters gathered in breach of lockdown rules in Hyde Park (Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images)

He said: “If we win today, this will set a precedent for all other people arrested under the COVID regulations.

“If we lose, we will appeal. Whatever happens, if they impose a fine, I will not pay the fine. I’m not going to pay any fines for these anti-just, illegal laws.”

He was applauded as he arrived at the court and was supported in the public gallery by around ten people who handed out flyers to the press.

He wore a dark blue shirt and tie, and was told to turn his phone off by District Judge Samuel Goozee after it began ringing as proceedings began.

Jeffrey Wyatt, 56, of Watery Lane, Milton Keynes, appeared alongside Corbyn, representing himself, charged with participating in a gathering in public of more than two people by attending the same anti-lockdown protest on 16 May.

Coronavirus: what happened today

Click here to sign up to the latest news, advice and information with our daily Catch-up newsletter