Jeremy Corbyn’s brother arrested at anti-lockdown protest in London

Jimmy Nsubuga
Updated ·2-min read
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is arrested as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner to defy the emergency legislation and protest their claim that the Coronavirus pandemic is part of a secret conspiracy on May 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. The prime minister has announced the general contours of a phased exit from the current lockdown, adopted nearly two months ago in an effort curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty images)
Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is arrested as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner (Picture: Getty)

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s older brother was one of several people arrested during a protest against the coronavirus lockdown.

Around 50 demonstrators defied social distancing to gather at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park, west London, holding placards with slogans like “anti-vax deserves a voice” and “freedom over fear”.

Dozens of police officers, including some on horseback, patrolled the protest, issuing several fines and arresting at least six people, including 73-year-old Piers Corbyn.

He was taken away after showing up with a megaphone and proclaiming 5G and the coronavirus pandemic were linked.

There is no evidence to link 5G and COVID-19.

Read more: Primary school for vulnerable children shut after two confirmed COVID-19 cases

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is arrested as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner to defy the emergency legislation and protest their claim that the Coronavirus pandemic is part of a secret conspiracy on May 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. The prime minister has announced the general contours of a phased exit from the current lockdown, adopted nearly two months ago in an effort curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty images)
Piers Corbyn is led away by police (Picture: Getty)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is arrested as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner to defy the emergency legislation and protest their claim that the Coronavirus pandemic is part of a secret conspiracy on May 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. The prime minister has announced the general contours of a phased exit from the current lockdown, adopted nearly two months ago in an effort curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty images)
Corbyn waves to someone as he leaves (Picture: Getty)

Corbyn was taken away after allegedly refusing to leave and give his details when asked by a police officer.

A flyer advertising the protest called for “no to mandatory vaccines, no to the new normal, and no to the unlawful lockdown”.

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Another demonstrator, 62-year-old Catharine Harvey, said she was defying the rules to highlight the “devastation this lockdown has caused”.

The shop owner said: “Developing countries will have no trade, no tourism. I have had to close my shop on Columbia Road flower market.

“The effects of the lockdown are far, far worse than the virus – mental health, domestic violence, shops are closed, theatres, cinemas, restaurants. It’s unnecessary.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is spoken to by the Police as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner to defy the emergency legislation and protest their claim that the Coronavirus pandemic is part of a secret conspiracy on May 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. The prime minister has announced the general contours of a phased exit from the current lockdown, adopted nearly two months ago in an effort curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty images)
Corbyn allegedly refused to give his details (Picture: Getty)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Piers Corbyn (brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn) is spoken to by the Police as conspiracy theorists gather at Hyde Park Corner to defy the emergency legislation and protest their claim that the Coronavirus pandemic is part of a secret conspiracy on May 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. The prime minister has announced the general contours of a phased exit from the current lockdown, adopted nearly two months ago in an effort curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty images)
Around 50 people defied social distancing to gather at Speakers’ Corner in Hyde Park (Picture: Getty)
Piers Corbyn (C), brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is led away by police officers at an anti-coronavirus lockdown demonstration in Hyde Park in London on May 16, 2020, following an easing of lockdown rules in England during the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. - Fliers advertising 'mass gatherings' organised by the UK Freedom Movement to oppose the government lockdown measures and guidelines put in place to halt the spread of coronavirus in parks around the UK calling for attendees to bring a picnic and music have been circulating on social media. People are being asked to "think carefully" before visiting national parks and beaches on the first weekend since coronavirus lockdown measures were partially eased in England. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Dozens of police officers, including some on horseback, patrolled the protest (Picture: Getty)

Read more: Boris Johnson says Britons' 'common sense is shining through'

Scotland Yard said as of 2pm on Saturday, six people were arrested in the Hyde Park area.

A separate protest saw about a dozen demonstrators gather on Southampton Common, holding placards saying “Stop the Lies”, “Say no to tyranny” and “Fight 4 Freedom”.

In Belfast, police monitored a crowd of around 20 people who had gathered in Ormeau Park to denounce the lockdown measures.

Officers warned participants to socially distance and they complied.

The gathering broke up without incident after an hour.

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