Attempted arrest of John Bolton at Hay festival

Former US Ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, was down to speak at Hay festival on May 28 Photograph: Felix Clay/Felix Clay

George Monbiot accused John Bolton of war crimes at an event three days earlier. He said: "Only when those who help to launch illegal wars fear punishment will future governments desist from launching them. As citizens I believe we have a duty to try to deter future war crimes. So I propose that we allow John Bolton to speak here, and then carry out a citizen's arrest." Photograph: Felix Clay/Guardian

Bolton defended the US's right to launch pre-emptive nuclear attacks and to promote regime change or, if necessary, a military attack on Iran to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons. As a lawyer, he said, he was not prepared to offer a view either on rendition or torture of suspects, because he had not studied the issues - a claim that provoked dismay. Photograph: Martin Godwin/Martin Godwin

He spoke for an hour in front of a packed audience Photograph: Felix Clay/Felix Clay

At the end of the hour, Monbiot rose to ask Bolton a question. Security staff intervened and bundled the columnist, clutching his charge sheet, out of the tent Photograph: Felix Clay/Felix Clay

Bolton was then whisked smartly into a waiting car ... Photograph: Martin Godwin/Martin Godwin

... and driven away. Read the full news story Photograph: Martin Godwin/Martin Godwin