James Goddard: 'Yellow vest' organiser charged with racially aggravated harassment

Twenty-nine-year-old was arrested over incident involving Tory MP Anna Soubry

James Goddard has been charged with harassment (PA)

“Yellow vest“ organiser James Goddard has been charged with harassment after Tory MP Anna Soubry was taunted outside parliament.

Mr Goddard, 29, has also been charged with the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer following incidents on 19 December and 7 January.

He was arrested on 12 January, five days after “yellow vest” activists dispruted pro-EU demonstrations in Westminster.

Ms Soubry, a prominent supporter of a second Brexit referendum, was taunted by protesters during a television interview and then harangued by a group of men as she made her way back to Parliament.

The incident prompted police to step up patrols around Westminster and a debate over whether protests near the Houses of Parliament had crossed a line.

A CPS spokesman said: “On 5 February, the CPS received a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police relating to two incidents outside Parliament on 19 December and 7 January involving an MP.

"Following a review of the evidence, the CPS has authorised the police to charge James Goddard, 29, with harassment. He is also charged with two public order offences against a police officer.”

Mr Goddard will appear before Westminister Magistrates’ Court on 19 March.

The self-styled leader of the UK’s “yellow vest” activists posted a video on Facebook on Tuesday to thank his supporters after being warned he was likely to be remanded in custody when he answered police bail.

He said: “If they do remand me then we will just have to learn from it, go away, do it, come back even stronger.”

The group formed in December and members have since verbally abused MPs, journalists and Remainers outside parliament, visited media and government offices and blocked London bridges.