Man, 38, becomes third protester to be charged after BBC journalist Nicholas Watt ‘hounded’ during anti-lockdown protest

A THIRD man has been charged after a BBC journalist Nicholas Watt was “hounded’ during anti-lockdown protest.

Joseph Olswang, 38, from Richmond-upon-Thames, is accused of common assault following the incident around Whitehall on June 14.

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Mr Watt, the Political Editor or Newsnight, was first captured on video walking quickly near Richmond Terrace and Whitehall close to police in high-vis jackets.

He was surrounded by a baying mob who called him a “c***” and blocked his path as he tried to escape.

In the footage, the journalist was then followed closely by a man wearing a leather waistcoat and a blonde woman in a minidress who pointed their fingers at him.

Mr Watt, who wore a blue face mask, then turned to escape their path – only for a crowd of around 15 to chase him across a road.

But more quickly followed and the campaigners turned nasty, chanting abuse at him as he kept his head down.

One man in a navy jacket then grabbed Mr Watt by the shoulder as he recorded the incident with his mobile phone.

Others shouted at him: “Why have you lied?”

In the footage, which was widely on social media, Mr Watt was forced to run from the mob, seeking shelter as people shouted “traitor” at him.

A protest against the Government’s extension of coronavirus restrictions in England by four weeks was taking place in Westminster at the time.

Olswang is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday July 15.

Christopher Aitken, 62, from Brixton, was previously charged with an offence contrary to Section 4A of the Public Order Act.

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on July 22.
Martin Hockridge, 57, appeared at the same court on Tuesday

He is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress in relation to the incident and faces a trial on November 8.