Piers Corbyn's will attend trial - Friday, 9.30am, 23/10/20, Westminster Magistrates Court - for breaking the Covid regulations for assembly of more than two people.
Piers Corbyn, 73, an astrophysicist and a long range weather forecaster has been a long standing campaigner for justice and human rights. On the 16 and 30 May 2020 he was arrested and charged for participating in a public gathering of more than two people at Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park, without reasonable excuse, during the emergency period. These regulations came into force on 26 March 2020.
On both occasions he travelled alone from his home address to Speaker’s Corner taking with him a loudhailer, leaflets, posters and stickers; he did so in order to protest about the policies of the government as applied during the ‘emergency period.’ This was an explicitly political protest.
The Crown allege that Mr Corbyn was part of a “gathering” of more than 2 people (rather than a lone protestor who was speaking with a loudhailer). Mr Corbyn asserts he was entitled to exercise his additional right to freedom of assembly and association as protected by Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
The actions of the police in politicising the enforcement of the Regulations by electing to target anti-lockdown protestors over other types of protestor offends against elementary principles of fairness and propriety, undermines public confidence in the criminal process and brings the criminal justice system into disrepute.
If Mr Corbyn wins (found Not Guilty/Case Dismissed) then this precedent would be applied to other cases awaiting trial. If Mr Corbyn loses he would appeal and would refuse to pay any fine imposed and would be prepared to go to prison (for non-payment of a fine) if necessary.
"We are fighting these monstrous Covid attacks on our rights all the way. I am prepared to go to prison for the right to assemble" - Piers Corbyn Email: pierscorbynofficial@protonmail.com Phone: 07946 545943
QC: Ben Cooper (Doughty Street Chambers) Solicitor: Richard Parry