Professor Chris Whitty manhandled by two men and 'disgusting' video of 'thugs' is condemned by minister
It is the second time this year social media footage has emerged of Professor Whitty being harassed by members of the public.
Mobile phone footage has emerged of Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, being manhandled by two men in the street.
The video, which appeared on Twitter, has been condemned by vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi, who tweeted: "This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged.
"Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant."
The footage shows Professor Whitty struggling to free himself from the men's grasp as they cling on to him, laughing and posing for the camera.
Prof Whitty manages to walk a few steps away, but the men hold onto him again as he crosses a road.
Eventually, a voice - thought to be from a passer-by - can be heard telling the men to "leave this gentleman alone".
In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: "We're aware of a video being shared online showing an incident in St James's Park.
Officers spoke to all those involved at the time and their details were taken.
"We are in contact with the victim and the circumstances continue to be investigated."
It is not clear when the incident took place, but Sky News has asked Downing Street for a response to the video.
Prof Whitty, a physician and epidemiologist, has played a key role in the response to the COVID pandemic in the UK, acting as chief medical adviser to the prime minister and his team and often appearing at government news conferences.
He replaced Dame Sally Davies in the role in late 2019, just months before coronavirus first emerged in China.
Prof Whitty was previously chief scientific adviser at the Department of Health and worked on the Ebola outbreak of 2014.
@nabob @renatew5😺🐶 @margaret.s @harryflatters @Tanith @Flotson @Flossy 🧁🧁🧁 @Janet 💋🍰🍝🍹 @roz @andym.aat @Paul - MenCanCleanToo @Bill Obermeyer and any one interested.
You can buy mugs and stuff with his face appended thereto.
OK, I admit it, I'm a member of the Chris Whitty Appreciation Society. Sadly, I don't fancy him, though. That's probably ruined his life. 😂
The long arm of the law is finally getting some grip. Would a little old gent or lady have gotten the same attention? No matter who, I am just glad that swift action was taken and I don't feel any compassion for these hooligans. The estate agent employee will not find another job that easily. What about his mate.?
If they would have approached in a friendly manner and asked nicely in a conversation, I am sure Professor Whitty would have obliged for having had his photo taken with those two. But drunken Harassment is something else, rather frightening I think. @Happygirl
Jolly good job too @Happygirl
BREAKING NEWS ON THIS.......GOOD FOR THE POLICE !
Man charged with assaulting Professor Chris Whitty after video of park incident
Following an incident in St James's Park last Sunday in which England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty was accosted, Lewis Hughes, 23, has been charged with common assault and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 30 July
A man has been charged with assaulting England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty after he was accosted in London on Sunday.
Lewis Hughes, 23, has been charged with common assault, the Metropolitan Police said.
Hughes, from Romford, east London, was charged on Thursday by postal requisition and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday 30 July.
A statement from the Met said: "At approximately 7.20pm on Sunday 27 June officers in St James's Park became aware of a man being accosted by a group of men.
They spoke to the victim and checked his welfare. He had not suffered any injuries.
"Officers subsequently reviewed video footage which emerged after the incident and the matter was referred to the Public Order Crime Team. Enquiries continue."
@nabob @renatew5😺🐶 @Pinkaholic79 💖🦄🌺 @Janet 💋🍰🍝🍹 @Flossy 🧁🧁🧁 @harryflatters @Tanith @margaret.s @roz
2ND UPDATE............
Man filmed harassing chief medical officer apologises
Lewis Hughes, 24, from Romford in east London, claims to have lost his job as a result of the video.
A man filmed harassing England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has apologised for "any upset he caused".
Boris Johnson and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi were among the politicians to condemn the men captured grabbing Professor Whitty as he walked through London.
They described them as "thugs" and called for police to investigate.
Lewis Hughes, 24, from Romford in east London, has come forward to say sorry to the government adviser, telling The Sun: "I absolutely apologise for any upset I caused.
"If I made him feel uncomfortable, which it does look like I did, then I am sorry to him for that."
Insisting there was "no malicious intent" behind his actions, which have seen him lose his job, he claimed he was trying to get a selfie with the medic to show to his mother.
His friend Jonathan Chew, who also appears in the clip, spoke to the newspaper, saying: "We just wanted a selfie".
@renatew5😺🐶 @nabob @margaret.s @roz @harryflatters @Janet 💋🍰🍝🍹 @Tanith @Flossy 🧁🧁🧁 @Flotson and any one else
I hope that these two are prosecuted.
Truly appalling way to behave to a respected gentleman. I am speechless!
UPDATE...........
Met Police says it spoke to two men in Whitty video and they were 'robustly warned' at the time
The force said it also spoke to Chris Whitty and "checked his welfare", but he did not wish to make any allegations.
Officers were in the area policing a nearby demonstration and "intervened when they saw what was happening", a spokesman said.
In a statement, the Met Police said: "They spoke to the victim and checked his welfare.
"He had not suffered any injuries and informed officers that at that time he did not wish to make any allegations. He then went on his way.
"Officers continued to speak to the two men and recorded their details. They were robustly warned about their behaviour and ordered to leave the area."
Police remain in contact with the chief medical officer and the incident has been recorded as a common assault, the force said.
It continues to be investigated by the Met's Public Order crime team.
@Pinkaholic79 💖🦄🌺 @nabob @roz @harryflatters @Janet 💋🍰🍝🍹 @Flossy 🧁🧁🧁 @Flotson @renatew5😺🐶
Professor Whitty and other government scientists should be given security, says shadow transport secretary
Speaking to Kay Burley, shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon has joined the growing list of MPs condemning footage of Professor Chris Whitty being grabbed by two men.
He called the incident "outrageous" and called for top scientists to be given security when they travel.
"My hope and expectation is he and other senior scientific officials in the public eye get the security they deserve," he said.
Mr McMahon said this should be done "particularly at a time when tensions are heightened" and he questioned why a public figure such as Professor Whitty was walking alone.
They are really yanking him about too!
Also, no one has any right to grab and hug anyone, NO ONE AT ALL ! Especially against their wishes, UGLY VILE thugs with no common sense , social distancing, manners !
I really have so much respect for this Gentleman and he really is a Gentleman, I have read all about his childhood etc and what a real nice guy, what ANNOYS me is this the Police spoke to these men at the time but nothing was done except take their details. it was a flagrant disregard for social distance measures for one.