Discussion: Police officers examine Mr Mobbs’ evidence.

An anti-fracking campaigner has been arrested after he suggested that he would climb “gazelle-like” over the Downing Street fence and make a citizen’s arrest on David Cameron, George Osborne and Ed Davey for misconduct in public office.

Paul Mobbs was arrested yesterday afternoon after spending several hours in a dialogue with police officers who eventually arrested him under anti-terrorism legislation.

He was carrying copies of all his research, in the belief that – if arrested – this would have to be admitted as evidence and could provide proof that he had a legal case against members of the government.

Tina Louise Rothery explained the day’s events in a Facebook post:

“Around 3pm today Paul was arrested under the Terrorism Act (Highways section) for blocking the entrance to Downing Street in his attempt to make a citizen’s arrest of… key members in the government. He has acted in this way as he believes that members in government are guilty of Misconduct In Public Office in reference to fracking.

“He arrived with a small team of witnesses and documenters at the entrance to Downing Street at around 11.15 … and proceeded to explain his intentions to the police on the gates. At first they ignored him but his politeness and clear knowledge of his rights necessitated that they eventually sent in their commanding officer who was joined quickly by two other officers.

“He explained that, as he has exhausted all other routes for taking action with regards to the fact that his research shows that the crime of Misconduct In Public Office is being committed, he has only one last resort which is to effect a citizen’s arrest himself… His arguments were erudite and his temper remained pleasant and non confrontational at all times, as you can see from the photographs. In fact, there was not one officer that he spoke with who did not end up smiling and laughing, particularly when he said that he was going to leap over the fence soon and they responded that he probably was a bit too big and old for that and he responded that, being an avid rambler, he can move ‘gazelle like’ if he wanted.

“He had on his person all his research and that would have to be admissible evidence in any trial and of course, his research may very well prove that members of government are actually breaking the law. In fact, you could see that over the course of the three hours he was talking with them, many of them [the police] were finding his evidence compelling themselves.

Arrest: Mr Mobbs is taken into custody.

“Eventually, he took to stating that he was going to use his body to block any traffic coming in or out of Downing Street. At this point, a police van turned up and he was arrested. As you can see in the picture, he went peacefully. We believe he was taken to Charing Cross police station.”

Here is a short film covering these events:

Mr Mobbs’ research is available on his website.

His final report on fracking is soon to be released – he gave that to the police as soon as he arrived at Downing Street. He has also released an update of his ‘frackogram’, which he says seems to point clearly at serious misconduct in office.

Follow me on Twitter: @MidWalesMike

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