By Man apologises for “harassing” Professor Chris Whitty in park
A man has apologised after footage went viral of him and another man seemingly harassing the chief medical officer of England, Professor Chris Whitty.
Lewis Hughes, 24, from Romford, told the Sun newspaper that he was sorry for “any upset I caused” to the victim.
He also said he has lost his job as an estate agent following the incident, which several public figures – including the PM – have condemned.
The viral video shows two men laughing as they make their way over to Professor Whitty and grab hold of him as he struggles to get himself free.
The incident took place on Saturday at St James’s Park in the capital.
Mr Hughes added: “If I made [Prof Whitty] feel uncomfortable, which it does look like I did, then I am sorry to him for that.”
The second man who appears in the footage, 24-year-old Jonathan Chew, said: “We just wanted a selfie.”
“Sometimes things seem a good idea and really they’re not,” he said.
Mr Hughes said the pair had been on an anti-vax march in London when they spotted Professor Whitty.
In its latest statement on Tuesday evening, the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of a video being shared online showing an incident that took place in St James’s Park at around 19:20 on the evening of Sunday, 27 June.
“Officers were in the vicinity policing a nearby demonstration and intervened when they saw what was happening.
“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.”
