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Bray's case shows loud and clear Britain has free speech

The Independent

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April 16, 2025

Steve Bray, known to most as the Stop Brexit Man” after his years-long noisy campaign against Britain’s departure from the European Union, has won his latest legal case.

- SEAN O'GRADY

Bray's case shows loud and clear Britain has free speech

He has been cleared of failing to follow a police order, namely to stop being quite so loud in the environs of parliament.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in quiet deliberation, agreed with Bray’s arguments that he has the right to protest at any given level of decibels.

Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock said Bray “admitted that he is ‘anti-Tory’ ... He believes his is an important message to disseminate. He needs the volume that he uses to get the message across from Parliament Street to the Palace of Westminster.”

After nearly a decade as a fixture on the streets and public spaces around Whitehall – and too divisive and annoying to be termed a “national treasure” – Bray has at least become a part of Britain’s constitution…

How did he end up in court this time?

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