A TALKTV presenter has been found guilty of a "sustained and persistent" assault on a climate protester during Donald Trump's visit to the UK last year.
On Thursday, Andre Walker was found guilty of "assault by beating" on Fossil Free London campaigner Dr Kush Naker during a gala dinner at Windsor Guildhall.
He received an 18-month conditional discharge and a £1200 fine of which £650 was court costs and £550 was compensation due to Naker.
During sentencing the judge noted that Walker’s assault on Naker was "sustained and persistent" and was "serious enough for a conditional discharge".
The incident took place at a Republicans Overseas dinner organised by Walker last September the night President Trump arrived in the UK.
Naker said: “Using violence to silence free speech is a hallmark of facism. André Walker's response to hearing us criticise deadly fossil fuel addiction gave us a glimpse of what happens when extreme right wing populist narratives build their movements on hate.
“It's frightening that this violent man is given a platform to further spread such toxic views by News UK, YouTube and X. Such violence must always be condemned, and I will continue to do all I can to peacefully disrupt those who are destroying the health of my patients and loved ones."
Fossil Free London interrupted the event with founder Robin Wells attempting to give a speech about the climate crisis and Trump’s threats to the environment.
She was joined by Naker with both unfurling a banner and chanting: “If you drill baby drill, how many will you kill?”
The pair had valid tickets for the event.
Video taken by other protesters present shows several attendees approaching the two activists and one appears to pull a banner from Naker’s hand.
Walker is then shown approaching Naker, grabbing him by the arm and Naker drops to the floor.
Walker is shown dragging Naker from the main dining hall, with Naker lying on his back, through a lobby into a separate room on the other side. When Naker has been dragged into the room, the door is closed.
Walker then reportedly attempted to kick, punch and strangle him repeatedly.
The judge tore into Walker’s defence that he had acted to protect artwork, stating that the protestors had not brought anything to damage artwork, or acted in any way to suggest they would attempt to damage artwork.
Wells, director of Fossil Free London said: “This verdict sends an important message that being a protester does not mean surrendering your right to be treated with dignity and respect. People should not face violence simply because they have chosen to challenge those in power.
“Donald Trump has put the fossil-fuel industry in the driving seat. While farmers struggle with drought, communities face extreme weather and millions of people live with the consequences of a rapidly heating world, Trump is doubling down on oil and gas. His climate legacy won’t simply be life-changing, it risks being life-destroying.
“Fossil Free London will continue to stand-up to politicians, corporations and powerful interests whose decisions are putting billions of lives at risk. We will never be intimidated into silence.”
