May-Bowles / @JonnieMarbles jailed for attack on Parliament

[matgb]

Jonathan May-Bowles is, as far as I'm aware, no relative of mine. This is good, because while I and my family have done some daft things in our time, directly attacking Parliament isn't something I'd particularly like to be associated with. 'Jonnie Marbles' jailed

Sentencing May-Bowles, district judge Daphne Wickham said the aim of the attack was to disrupt proceedings, which were of "of huge importance" ... "This is a parliamentary process, which as you know conducts itself with dignity and in a civilised fashion. Everybody else in the room expected that, with one exception - you.

"You attended those proceedings with only one intention, to disrupt them."

That the subject of his attack was a noxious git who I dislike intensely is irrelevent. A witness giving evidence to Parliament during a parliamentary enquiry was attacked in a clear attempt to disrupt the enquiry.

I believe, fundamentally, in the principles of Parliamentary democracy. I believe that in this country Parliament is not strong enough and needs trengthening signiificantly in many ways--it's the stated objective of this Government to do some of these things, I don't think they're going far enough.

Jonathan May-Bowles "was ordered to serve three weeks in prison and pay a £15 victim surcharge and £250 costs." He got off lightly.

Addendums:This Tweet is also relevent though:

@Paul0Evans1 Paul Evans

The reaction to Johnny Marbles sentence (consensus: it was too heavy) shows how far Parliament has to explain why it deserves public respect

4:50 PM Aug 2nd via web Favorite

This sentence here to reflect a second addition has been made to this post as a result of feedback from comments.

Comments

[fearmeforiampink]

If the guy did that to Murdoch when he was walking down the street, I probably wouldn't have too much of a problem with it (assuming he wasn't walking to the enquiry in question). At that point, it's a political statement (and stunt), and whilst somewhat gauche, is not an active disruptment of something important.

Doing it in the middle of whilst Murdoch was being grilled? Not cool.

[matgb]

Exactly, said as much to jonnelledge while writing this one. I'd still have felt a bit guilty cheering, it is after all an assault on an 80 year old, but only a little bit.