Man charged with public order offence and 'intending to cause alarm' after approaching Queen's coffin

By Freddie Webb
Published 18th Sep 2022, 09:16 BST
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A MAN has been charged with a public order offence after approaching the Queen’s coffin and causing a ‘disturbance’.

Metropolitan Police have charged a man after he moved out of the queue of mourners, and made a beeline at Queen Elizabeth II’s resting place.

The incident happened at Westminster Hall on Friday night at roughly 10pm, as the live feed from inside the hall cut away for a brief period.

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Man arrested after approaching Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall causing 'distu...
Members of the public view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Adrian Dennis/PA Images.Members of the public view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Adrian Dennis/PA Images.
Members of the public view the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster, London, ahead of her funeral on Monday. Picture: Adrian Dennis/PA Images.

A statement from Scotland Yard said: “Muhammad Khan, 28, of Barleycorn Way, Tower Hamlets, was charged on Saturday, September 17, with an offence under Section 4A of the Public Order Act; behaviour intending to cause alarm, harassment or distress.

‘He will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 19.’

A UK parliament spokesperson reported yesterday morning: ‘We’re aware of an incident in Westminster Hall, in which a member of the public moved out of the queue and towards the Catafalque.

‘They have now been removed from the Hall and the queue restarted with minimal disruption.’

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SEE ALSO: What is a catafalque and its link to Queen’s funeral

Khan is the second person to be charged with committing an offence while in the queue to see the Queen’s coffin lying in state.

A 19-year-old man allegedly exposed himself and pushed into mourners from behind as they waited in the line at Victoria Tower Gardens on Wednesday.

Adio Adeshine is said to have gone into the River Thames in an attempt to evade police before coming out and being arrested.

He was remanded in custody on Friday after appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.