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Conor Gogarty

22 Apr, 29 tweets, 6 min read

You join me at Bristol Magistrates' Court, where Piers Corbyn has just arrived in a cream Volkswagen. He's accused of a lockdown breach.

He's slightly late, which he says is because of his Sat Nav.

I'll have live updates here bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-n…

Piers Corbyn, carrying a Lidl bag full of documents, has entered court. He's alleged to have taken part in an illegal gathering on College Green last November

Corbyn initially moved as if to sit close to his fellow defendants, but was reminded of social distancing measures by court staff.

"Oh yes - I forgot about that," he said.

Four out of five defendants are here, all accused of Covid breaches at College Green

District Judge Lynne Matthews asks: "Do we have Jonathan Trapman here?"

Defendant says: "You've got Jonathan Trapman the flesh and blood, who's representing Jonathan Trapman the legal entity"

Not guilty pleas entered for all

Trapman says: "Jonathan Trapman the legal person was present in Bristol and adhering to his rights to go and be wherever he wished to be. There was a point, I understand, that Jonathan Trapman did cross the College Green in his right to roam."

London Mayor candidate Corbyn: "I plead not guilty and I don't recognise the legality of these charges."

Proceedings to resume at 11.45am, as Corbyn and co are reading through some documents which they say had not been supplied to them beforehand. Back with more updates then!

@_ewithers

For those concerned about Corbyn’s car and the double yellows... @_ewithers , who’s with us this week on a placement, confirms the Volkswagen has been moved elsewhere.

Judge asks if the defendants have had a chance to read the relevant statements.

Corbyn: "Wait a minute - we're waiting for our friends to come in because each of us were told we could have one supporter."

Judge informs Corbyn that Covid measures mean there is a limit on numbers

Corbyn: "Madam, do you have control of this court? Surely you could implement natural justice and say people can be allowed in."

Judge points out importance of a safe environment...

Corbyn hits back: "People are being excluded. You are damaging the open judicial system we have in the United Kingdom."

Judge: "I disagree."

Judge asks Trapman if he accepts the account of his police interview, in which he said Health Secretary Matt Hancock would be "arrested for fraud" and "coronavirus doesn't exist".

Trapman says he is sure his legal entity would "go along with that"

Corbyn says he accepts the statement on his police interview, "apart from certain typos"

Asked his defence, Trapman said: "The bullet points I would give you on behalf of Jonathan Trapman is that when Jonathan Trapman was arrested, he did read out the common law declaration of his right to conscience."

Trapman argues this declaration and the Magna Carta mean there is "no case to answer", and the charge should be null and void.

Judge: "Looking at your suggestion that the charge is null and void, I am determining separately that it is not...

"... and I am saying that is not something the court is going to adjudicate on. What's your next bullet point?"

Trapman: "If we go on the stated opinion of Lord Sumption..."

Judge: "I'm not interested in anyone's opinion. Move onto your next point."

Trapman: "For all the attempted prosecutions brought by police, the CPS has confirmed not one single conviction..."

The judge interrupted: "I am not remotely interested in any other case."

Eventually, Judge Matthews says she will be entering Trapman's defence as "exercising the right to speak and be present."

Nodding, Trapman adds: "And to live freely. Thank you."

Lancaster says he was at the protest in a professional capacity: "I was making a short film as an independent videographer."

He claimed he has worked with Blue Peter, the One Show and Lorraine Kelly in his career.

Lancaster points his finger at me in the press area, and says: "That guy - Colin is it?"

Me: "It's Conor."

Lancaster continues: "That guy, Conor, had said in a story that police would ask people to leave the protest, and if they didn't, they might get arrested...

"None of that happened with me - 10 police officers said 'there he is' and ran over and arrested me."

Judge replies: "Conor over there doesn't make the law."

Lancaster: "I don't trust most of what he says."

Corbyn describes the charges as "really just tyranny", adding: "I would invite you as the magistrate in this court to find there is no case to answer."

Judge: "At the risk of repeating myself, there will be time to make that submission at the conclusion of the prosecution case."

Judge Matthews has set a date for the trial, which she expects to last a day and a half. It will take place at the same court on August 3, potentially running into August 4.

She says: "It is going ahead gentlemen. We will meet again."