James Goddard arrest: UK 'yellow vest' Brexiteer charged after allegedly threatening journalist in Manchester

Activist is on bail after being arrested over separate incident in London

A leading member of the UK “yellow vests” has been arrested after allegedly threatening a journalist at a protest in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said James Goddard Goddard was detained on Wednesday morning and taken into custody for questioning.

The 29-year-old, who is currently living in Altrincham, was later charged with assault and a public order offence.

"He has been bailed to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 March," a spokesperson added.

Mr Goddard was already on bail over incidents in Westminster where the pro-Brexit “yellow vests” called Conservative MP Anna Soubry a “traitor” and followed her.

He was arrested at the start of a London protest on 12 January on suspicion of a public order offence by the Metropolitan Police.

Mr Goddard was banned from London under his bail conditions and is due to report to police on Tuesday.

He has been attending weekly “yellow vest” protests staged in other British towns and cities.

The group, which calls for a no-deal Brexit, formed in December and members have since verbally abused MPs, journalists and Remainers outside parliament, visited media and government offices and blocked London bridges.

Demonstrations have spread to cities including Manchester, Newport and Sheffield on Saturdays, emulating the French movement that has seen violence between demonstrators and police.

Mr Goddard was previously a vocal Tommy Robinson supporter and part of the “Justice for Our Boys” group, which claims a fatal drink-driving crash that killed three teenagers in London was a deliberate attack.

The self-declared “patriot’s” social media accounts show that he had voiced wishes to move to America and took advantage of EU freedom of movement to live and work in Spain.

James Goddard speaks to supporters after being released from Holborn Police Station on 12 January, 2019. (PA)

Mr Goddard’s activity with the “yellow vests” has caused his Facebook and Paypal pages to be taken down, while Twitter suspended his account last week.

He claims the group is not violent, but has repeatedly told police that he will “give them a war” in scuffles at protests.

Police have been monitoring the group’s activities amid calls to stop them from protesting in Westminster, and officers from the government’s counter-extremism Prevent programme visited Mr Goddard’s home on Christmas Eve.

He rejected Leicestershire Police’s offer to “give you support and keep you out of trouble” and put footage of the incident online.