A self-titled anti-Tory, anti-Brexit campaigner nicknamed ‘Stop Brexit Man’ has been cleared of any wrongdoing after having speakers seized by police in March 2024. Steve Bray, from Port Talbot played the Muppet’s theme song and Darth Vader’s theme tune when Rishi Sunak appeared in Parliament and was asked to stop playing music by police, which he refused to do.
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00:00An activist known for playing loud music outside Parliament has been cleared of any wrongdoing.
00:08Steve Bray, also known as the Stop Brexit Man, was found not guilty of breaching restrictions on using amplified sound in Parliament Square.
00:15The case related to an incident on March 20th last year when Bray played music including edits of The Muppet Show
00:21and Darth Vader's theme song The Imperial March ahead of then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's arrival for Prime Minister's questions.
00:28Police approached Bray shortly before midday and gave him a notice and map outlining areas where amplified sound is prohibited.
00:35The court heard that Bray disputed the map and continued playing music intermittently until officers eventually seized his speakers.
00:42Bray, who represented himself in court, argued that the music was part of his right to protest and that it was played only at intervals.
00:50Westminster Magistrates Court heard that he had not been arrested previously and that his equipment was battery powered and limited in volume.
00:57Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock accepted that the protest was peaceful and non-violent and ruled that Bray's actions were covered under his rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
01:09He added, lampooning the government through satire has a long tradition in this country.
01:14But the judge also noted Bray should have reflected on how he interacted with officers at the scene.
01:20Outside court, Bray said today is a very important day, not just for us as protesters, but for everybody's freedom of expression and their right to protest, regardless of what side of the fence you're on.
01:32Whatever your protest is, this is a victory for you.
01:35When asked if he was going to continue, he said he wouldn't make any more noise, but stay at the same level.
01:40J.P. Watkins reporting for Local TV.