An activist dubbed the “Stop Brexit Man” left Suella Braverman’s former chief of staff feeling “intimidated, exhausted and harassed”, a court has heard during proceedings at the City of London Magistrates’ Court.
Steve Bray, 56, from Port Talbot, South Wales, is well known for his loud, theatrical protests outside Parliament, typically coinciding with Prime Minister’s Questions. On 20 March last year, Bray allegedly flouted a police direction prohibiting the use of amplification devices in the designated controlled area around Parliament Square.
The court was told on Thursday that Bray broadcast a series of anti-Brexit and anti-Conservative messages through loudspeakers, with music including satirical edits of The Muppet Show theme and The Imperial March from Star Wars. These soundtracks, the prosecution alleges, were purposefully disruptive ahead of then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s arrival for PMQs.
Despite police warnings around 11.20am, Bray reportedly continued intermittently until officers confiscated his equipment just after 12.30pm. The prosecution contends the audio was played for an estimated 40 minutes in total.
Among those to give evidence was Susan Colson, who served as chief of staff to then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Ms Colson described how Bray’s weekly presence affected her mental wellbeing and ability to carry out her job.
“Wednesday was always the worst day of the week,” she told the court. “We knew what we were going to be subjected to. It became impossible to ignore. The noise cut through everything.”
Colson explained that although she tried to arrive early to enjoy a brief period of calm, Bray would begin his demonstrations around 10am. “By lunchtime I was exhausted and felt genuinely harassed,” she said. “It made me feel like a victim. If this had been happening outside a shop or someone’s home, action would have been taken sooner.”
She said the music could be heard from her sixth-floor office and often included verbal abuse. “I heard him shout things like ‘Tories are sex pests’. As a woman in my sixties, I found that very distressing. I couldn’t believe we were expected to work through it.”
She also referenced then-Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, saying she was astonished the minister could perform her duties amid such noise. In response, Bray remarked: “I had some good chats with Penny Mordaunt – she was very friendly.”
Ms Colson added: “This is someone who has crossed the line into fanaticism or even fixation. Why should anyone be subjected to this week in, week out?”
During cross-examination, Bray apologised if his actions had caused distress, insisting that it had never been his intention to intimidate. “Sometimes you get it wrong,” he said. “But sound and vision are part of the language of protest.”
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He also defended the “sex pests” remark, stating it was in reference to media reports about alleged misconduct within the Conservative Party at the time. Bray further noted he would have relocated his demonstration if police had simply requested it.
In a theatrical moment as the trial neared conclusion, Bray played a protest song from his laptop – Brexit Tragedy, set to the tune of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, which mocked the UK’s exit from the EU. The piece concluded with the chorus of Kaiser Chiefs’ I Predict A Riot.
Bray has denied failing to comply with a direction under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. He told the court he has never previously been arrested or charged for his protests.
Deputy District Judge Anthony Woodcock is expected to deliver his verdict on 14 April at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Until then, the case continues to ignite debate around the balance between protest rights and the working conditions of public servants in Westminster.
