- Protester Convicted of Harassment Against Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock
- MP Describes Feeling Intimidated by Accused Protester’s Actions
- Defendant Filmed Confronting Hancock Over Pandemic Management
A magistrate at Westminster Magistrates’ Court concludes that on January 19 and 24, Geza Tarjanyi “deliberately intimidated and harassed” the member of parliament on two separate occasions.
A protester against vaccinations who accused former health secretary Matt Hancock of murdering people during the COVID pandemic has been convicted of harassment.
On January 19 and 24, Geza Tarjanyi, 62, from Leyland, Lancashire, shoulder-barged Mr. Hancock and “shouted ridiculous conspiracy theories” on two separate occasions.
Paul Goldspring, a senior district judge, stated that Tarjanyi “deliberately intimidated and harassed” the representative.
Following the verdict, Mr. Hancock stated, “I am relieved by the verdict of guilty. This individual has not only attacked me but also several members of parliament and other public servants.
“We in the United Kingdom are proud to be a global symbol of democracy, founded on respectful debate to create a more inclusive and harmonious society. Violence based on a person’s political views is unacceptable.
“I would like to thank the CPS, Transport for London, and the British Transport Police, who have been fantastic throughout.”
Previously, Mr. Hancock told the Westminster Magistrates’ Court that he feared the man would push him down an escalator during a confrontation over his management of the pandemic.
Mr. Hancock testified, “As a public figure, I cannot recall a time when I felt this intimidated.”
The court heard that during the first incident on 19 January, Mr. Hancock was walking past an anti-vaccination protest near parliament with a member of his staff when Tarjanyi filmed him while asking him why he had “killed so many people” before shoulder barging him.
During the five-minute interaction, the West Suffolk MP said he felt “physically intimidated” and “needed to get to a safe place,” describing the defendant as “completely unreasonable.”
“I felt unsafe going about my workplace, and I was irritated that instead of engaging in a normal debate. Someone was attempting to intimidate me; I deemed this unacceptable,” he told the court.
I had a strong impression that he was dominated by these absurd conspiracy theories.
During the second incident, the defendant is alleged to have followed Mr. Hancock through the Westminster subterranean station on January 24 at approximately 8:00 a.m., before boarding the same train.
The politician, who had just had breakfast with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, told the court that he recognized the defendant and felt “more intimidated” due to the defendant’s solitary presence.
After asking TfL employees to help, Tarjanyi allegedly harassed “anyone who came to my aid”.
Mr. Hancock said he stopped at the top of an escalator to “resolve the situation,” but was “pushed from behind.”
I was extremely anxious during this time, he told the court.
“Had I lost my equilibrium here, I would have tumbled down the escalator.
“I had to exert effort to keep my balance and avoid falling down the escalator.”
Mr. Hancock resigned from his position as secretary of health in June 2021 after admitting to violating his social-distance guidelines when leaked CCTV footage revealed him embracing his married lover, aide Gina Coladangelo, in his office.
The whip was subsequently suspended after he traveled to the Australian jungle for a contentious appearance on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
Later in December, Mr. Hancock affirmed that he would not run in the upcoming general election.
