A MALVERN man has been remanded on unconditional bail for a trial later this year after pleading not guilty to obstructing Tower Bridge.

Christopher Lewis-Farley, 52, of Mill Lane, issued a plea of not guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 9 2022, for allegedly wilfully obstructing the free passage along Tower Bridge, London on April 8 last year.

The case was adjourned to Friday (February 10), when Mr Lewis-Farley was remanded on unconditional bail until a trial later this year on Monday, June 12.

Scarlet Possnett, 19, of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Christopher Riches, 21, of Flore, Northamptonshire and Amy Rugg-Easey, 31, of Shiremoor, Newcastle Upon Tyne all also previously pleaded not guilty to committing wilful obstruction of a highway at Tower Bridge in London on April 8.

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Worcester News: The bridge was closed to traffic due to the protest. The bridge was closed to traffic due to the protest. (Image: Victoria Jones/PA)

Police were called to the bridge at about 7.30am after protesters from Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion occupied the famous landmark and unfurled a green banner with black writing, which read “End fossil fuels now”.

The demonstrators suspended themselves from the bridge using cords, with police shutting it for several hours.

Officers cleared the protesters by 11.40am, escorting them into police vehicles, and the bridge was reopened at midday.

The incident caused long queues of traffic across one of the main highways across the River Thames.

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After the event, London mayor Sadiq Khan said that the protest was “counterproductive”.

Speaking at the launch of Labour’s local election campaign in Barnet, north London, the London mayor said: “I think one of the things that those who feel passionate about something have to do is to win over public opinion at the same time as putting pressure on the government.

“My concern is some of the actions of XR discourage people from joining the campaign and don’t affect government policy.

“I think all campaigns or protests should be peaceful, lawful and safe and I’m concerned that some of the tactics being used are counterproductive”.