Police arrest ‘yellow vest’ activist James Goddard

‘Yellow vest’ activist James Goddard is charged with assault at Manchester city centre demonstration

  • James Goddard is among those trying to organise ‘Yellow Vest’ demonstrations
  • The 29-year-old was seen at a protest in central Manchester at the weekend 
  • He was arrested today and later charged with assault and a public order offence

A far-Right handyman who wants to start a ‘Yellow Vest’ movement in Britain has been charged with assault.

James Goddard, often seen wearing the high-viz vests favoured by protesters in France, has tried to organise demonstrations like those seen in Paris in the UK.

His latest attempt was held in Manchester at the weekend, where a handful of people wearing vests faced off with anti-fascist activists while waving flags and placards.

Goddard was today arrested over alleged clashes at the demo and later charged with assault and a public order offence.

A video posted online shows 'Yellow Vest' protester James Goddard being arrested today

A video posted online shows ‘Yellow Vest’ protester James Goddard being arrested today

A friend posted a video online this morning, said to show police arresting Goddard, who has a unlit cigarette in his mouth. 

It comes after Goddard was pictured in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday, wearing a t-shirt with Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin.

He was seen shouting at a woman in a headscarf and using a loudspeaker to try to whip up his band of supporters.  

A police spokesman said: ‘James Goddard, of Altrincham, has been charged with assault and a public order offence.

‘He has been bailed to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 March 2019.

‘This morning police arrested a man aged 29 on suspicion of assault and public order offences, following a protest in Manchester City Centre on Saturday 9 February 2019.’ 

Goddard has been charged over an alleged public order offence  in Manchester at the weekend

Goddard has been charged over an alleged public order offence in Manchester at the weekend

Goddard was pictured at the event in Manchester's Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday

Goddard was pictured at the event in Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on Saturday

 

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