Thursday 10 November 2022 11:02 AM XR activist, 23, arrested for 'throwing eggs at King Charles is released on ... trends now
The protester who was arrested by police for throwing eggs at King Charles and the Queen Consort in York has been bailed after a grilling by detectives.
Patrick Thelwell, an Extinction Rebellion activist who once stood as a Green Party candidate, was bundled to the ground by four police officers while screaming 'this country was built on the blood of slaves'. Meanwhile, onlookers shouted 'God save the King' and 'shame on you'.
North Yorkshire Police said the man, who they did not identify, had been interviewed following the incident, which happened when the royal couple had just arrived in the city.
Footage showed four eggs flying past His Majesty and breaking on the ground beside him as he was greeted by city leaders. Charles briefly looked around to see the broken eggs, but otherwise barely reacted. None of them hit Charles or Camilla before a man in the crowd was arrested.
In an online biography, Thelwell boasts of his long involvement in Left-wing politics, which began in 2015 when he campaigned to oust Tory MP Esther McVey from her seat on Merseyside due to her views on benefits.
He has been president of the University of York gardening society and, on a blog where he regularly writes about climate change, says he is preparing to study for a PhD in Interdisciplinary Global Development.
Thelwell stood as a Green Party candidate in the 2019 local elections for the Hull Road Ward in York, which is now controlled by Labour. He previously expressed republican sentiments, tweeting that he would 'not bow to the new false King' when the Queen died.
He has previously joined protests blocking London Bridge and a road leading to newspaper printing presses. Then PM Boris Johnson called the stunt 'completely unacceptable'.
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Patrick Thelwell, an Extinction Rebellion activist, shouted 'this country was built on the blood of slaves' before he was carried away by police into a waiting van. He has been bailed
Footage caught the moment eggs flew past King Charles as he was greeted by city leaders in the centre of York
A protester (top left) throws eggs at King Charles III (right) and the Queen Consort (left) as they arrive for a ceremony at Micklegate Bar
The protester was named as Patrick Thelwell, an Extinction Rebellion activist and former Green Party candidate
In an online biography, Thelwell boasts of his long involvement in Left-wing politics, which began in 2015 when he campaigned to oust Tory MP Esther McVey from her seat on Merseyside over her views on benefits
Thelwell has been president of the University of York gardening society and, on a blog where he regularly writes about climate change, says he is preparing to study for a PhD in Interdisciplinary Global Development
The eggs were seen flying past His Majesty and breaking on the ground beside him as he was being greeted in York
The King briefly looked around at the eggs on the ground, but otherwise barely reacted to the egging
King Charles and the Queen Consort were being welcomed to York by city leaders when the man threw three eggs at them, all of which missed (this image shows one of the eggs on the ground)
As police were detaining the man, Charles continued with a traditional ceremony in which he was officially welcomed to the city of York by the Lord Mayor
Police move into the crowd to grab the man after he was spotted throwing eggs on Micklegate Bar in York
Officers hold Thelwell on the ground following incident, which took place as the King was being welcomed by city leaders
The 23-year-old is put into a police van by officers before being taken away from the scene
A broken egg on the ground on Micklegate Bar in York, where Charles and Camilla were doing their walkabout
The royal couple were greeted by a line-up of local dignitaries lead by the Lord Mayor and local musician in historic dress known as The York Waits.
But as the king and queen moved down the queue shaking hands, a single loud boo could be heard coming from from the pavement ahead of them and two eggs sailed over the heads of the dignitaries and landed by Charles' foot. He could be seen looking quizzically at the floor.
Another flew close to the head one of the council representatives who turned and exclaimed angrily. It appears four eggs were thrown in all.
Plain-clothed royalty protection and uniformed local police swiftly moved in and identified the culprit but struggled to contain him at first as the crowds were packed so tight. 'We've got him,' one yelled out.
North Yorkshire Police later confirmed a 23-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
North Yorkshire Police said a 'well-rehearsed' security operation had been in place for the visit to ensure the royal couple's safety.
Charlotte Bloxham, the force's silver commander for the operation, said: 'I'm pleased to report that the policing operation and the overall wider visit was successful.
'Many partner agencies also assisted us with the planning and execution, and I would also like to extend my thanks to them.
'On behalf of the force, it was a privilege for North Yorkshire Police to welcome the King and Queen Consort to North Yorkshire.'
Officers begged other members of the crowd to moved to one side so that they could restrain the man, who could be heard shouting: 'This country was built on the blood of slaves.'
A woman could be heard screaming repeatedly at the top of her voice but it is not clear whether she was with him or a horrified member of the public.
He faced a hostile reaction from the rest of the crowd, some of who shouted 'shame on you' and 'God save The King' at the top of their voices to drown the protestor out.
Others yelled 'hip hip hooray' repeatedly and one shouted: 'You've literally spoilt this for everybody' and the man was finally pushed to the floor and handcuffed.
He was repeatedly booed as he was finally carried away by uniformed officers.
