A man has been charged after Professor Chris Whitty was harassed in a park in an incident widely shared on social media.
Two men filmed themselves grabbing England’s chief medical officer and putting their arms around his neck.
The pair were branded "thugs" by Boris Johnson who said he was “shocked at seeing the despicable harassment” in St James' Park in London on Saturday.
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The Metropolitan Police said it was investigating the video after it went viral on social media.
In an update today, police confirmed a man named Lewis Hughes has now been charged with common assault.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 30 July.
Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi was among those to condemn the video online, branding it as "disgusting."
He tweeted: "This is disgusting and these thugs must be found and charged.
"Zero tolerance for harassing a public servant."
Boris Johnson said on Monday: "I’m shocked at seeing the despicable harassment of Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty.
"I condemn the behaviour of these thugs. Our hard-working public servants should not have to face this kind of intimidation on our streets and we will not tolerate it."
