Police probe Whitty harassment as men in video deny malicious intent

A man criticised after being filmed apparently accosting Professor Chris Whitty has apologised for “any upset I caused”.

Lewis Hughes, from Romford in Essex, said if he made England’s chief medical officer feel “uncomfortable” then “I am sorry to him for that”.

Boris Johnson was among those to speak out after a video emerged appearing to show Prof Whitty being harassed.

The video, which lasts around 20 seconds and was filmed in St James’s Park, London, shows two men grabbing Prof Whitty as they shout “oi oi” and say “one photo please?”.

As Prof Whitty attempts to walk away, the men grab him again, while a voice is heard saying “leave the gentleman alone” and the clip ends.

Mr Hughes, 24, said he has now lost his estate agent job, telling The Sun: “I absolutely apologise for any upset I caused.

“If I made him feel uncomfortable, which it does look like I did, then I am sorry to him for that.

“He is quite a timid, shy person and I think that is why he didn’t say, ‘get off me’. If he had said that and I had realised how he felt, I wouldn’t have put my arm round him.”

He said he had been hoping to get a selfie adding: “There was no malicious intent, I didn’t want to upset him.”

His friend Jonathan Chew, 24, told the newspaper: “We didn’t cause any harm to him. We just wanted a selfie.”

A Met spokesman 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.

“The incident has been recorded as a common assault and continues to be investigated.”

Prof Whitty in the video.