Brexit protester James Goddard denies abusing MP Anna Soubry

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Self-styled “yellow vest” protester James Goddard appeared in court today to deny abusing Anna Soubry MP outside Parliament.

Goddard, 29, is accused of repeatedly haranguing and insulting the MP by calling her a “Nazi”, a “traitor”, and “scum” as she walked out of the House of Common and tried to conduct media interviews.

It is said he “pursued” Ms Soubry while filming her on his mobile phone, while “loudly and repeatedly demanding that she answer questions”.

However Goddard is set to argue at trial that it was “fair comment”, “reasonable behaviour” and “true comment”, Westminster magistrates court heard this morning.

James Goddard at Westminster Magistrates' Court
PA

Goddard waved and blew kisses from the dock as he denied the charges against him, and let out a smile as Ms Soubry’s name was mentioned.

When his lawyer was asked whether Goddard had said the words alleged, the defendant shouted from the dock “It’s not illegal to heckle an MP”.

His supporters applauded from the public gallery as they repeatedly disrupted the hearing.

James Goddard takes a selfie with a supporter outside court
PA

Goddard, who is a leading figure of the so-called “yellow vest” protest movement in the UK, is also charged with racially abusing a police officer and a public order harassment charge on January 7.

Wearing a white t-shirt bearing a British flag and the slogan ‘Our Boys’, he pleaded not guilty to harassment without violence, using threatening or abusive word or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, and racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress.

District Judge Kenneth Grant is set to adjourn the case until a two day trial in July.

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