Lockdown protests: Jeremy Corbyn’s brother arrested at conspiracy theorist demonstration in Bristol
Police say they ‘warned the organisers repeatedly of the consequences’ after protests banned under new lockdown
Jeremy Corbyn’s brother has been arrested at an anti-lockdown protest organised by conspiracy theorists in Bristol.
Piers Corbyn has been detained several times, and fined £10,000, for allegedly violating coronavirus restrictions at a series of demonstrations.
He was among an estimated 400 people who marched through Bristol on Saturday, as similar protests took place in cities across Britain.
Avon and Somerset Police had appealed for demonstrators to cancel the march, which violated current lockdown restrictions on gatherings.
“Fourteen arrests have so far been made during today's demonstration,” a spokesperson said on Saturday afternoon.
“We recognise the right to freedom of expression but protests aren't currently allowed. Covid-19 is deadly and the restrictions are in place to prevent its spread.”
Police said about 400 people had joined the demonstration and that arrests were made when people “failed to comply with the directions of officers”.
The force said officers had also arrested people “identified as leading the protest throughout the day”, and that most suspects were detained for breaching coronavirus regulations. One man was arrested after a police officer was assaulted.
Chief Inspector Mark Runacres said: “Unlike previous protests which have taken place during the pandemic, we couldn’t legally or morally facilitate today’s event.
“We warned the organisers repeatedly of the consequences should they press ahead with their plans, both in terms of the enforcement action we would take and the risk it presented in spreading Covid-19, but sadly they chose to ignore these.
“Knowing there was a possibility of the protest going ahead, a comprehensive policing plan was put in place and while officers initially looked to encourage people to leave the area it became clear enforcement action was necessary.”
New laws that came into force on 5 November removed a previous exemption that allowed protests as long as they complied with a risk assessment.
It was the latest weekly demonstration organised by conspiracy theorists, including anti-vaxxers.
Writing on Twitter ahead of the event, Mr Corbyn said that it would be the “biggest rally yet” in southwest England, before referencing conspiracy theories about a supposed “new world order” and a plot for world dominion.
The Bristol protest was promoted by StandUpX, which states on its website that it opposes coronavirus lockdowns, social distancing, masks and “forced vaccinations”.
The group also spreads conspiracy theories about “surveillance tracking” and 5G technology, making unfounded claims that the telecommunications network is harmful.
A poster advertising the march read: “No more hoax pandemic, no more mandatory vaccination”.
It came as Mr Corbyn awaits a court hearing for allegedly encouraging people to break coronavirus laws at the “Million Mask March” protest in London on 5 November. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Supporters have donated almost £30,000 to a crowdfunding page for his legal defence, which was set up after previous arrests.