Piers Corbyn says he is suing South Yorkshire Police following anti-lockdown protest arrest

The 73-year-old brother of the former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn led the protest in Sheffield city centre last week, just over a month after being arrested at a similar demonstration held in the Peace Gardens.

He said: "I and my solicitor have taken civil action against the police and we are suing them for what they did on September the 5th. We are suing them for wrongful arrest of me, wrongful imprisonment of me and assault on me. The result of that will help anyone else who gets similarly attacked.

"I was here, standing in the same place and got arrested subsequently after a bit of a scuffle. I’m glad the police are not attempting to arrest anybody at this moment, I hope they don’t, and we are adhering to the risk assessment as you know - you are meant to be in your family groups, two metres apart.”

At the event in September he was charged in connection to a pre-planned illegal gathering.

Mr Corbyn, of East Street, London, was charged with three offences under the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020.

South Yorkshire Police said: "It is alleged that Corbyn arranged and facilitated, then participated in, a gathering of more than 30 people on Saturday 5 September. He is also accused of failing to wear a face covering in a required area.

"Corbyn has been bailed to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court in November.

"Coronavirus remains a deadly disease. South Yorkshire Police officers will remain on the front line to protect our communities during this pandemic, and ensure the laws in place to prevent its spread are respected."

Around 100 people turned up to the demonstration last week, standing apart from each other.

There was a heavy police presence of more than 30 officers including two on horseback.

Protesters - some who came from as far as Milton Keynes, Manchester and London - held signs including ‘it’s a hoax. Lies, lies, lies’, ‘freedom over fear’ and ‘curfews equal nazification’ and there were various chants shouted including 'we are anti vax'.

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