Matt Hancock tells court docket he feared anti-vaxxer would push him down escalator

Matt Hancock has informed a court docket he feared an anti-vaxxer would push him down an escalator throughout a confrontation over his dealing with of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Geza Tarjanyi, 62, denies inflicting harassment with out violence after allegedly concentrating on the previous well being secretary on two separate events in January this 12 months.

Giving proof at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Mr Hancock stated: “As a public figure, I can’t recall a time when I felt as intimidated as this.”

During the primary incident on 19 January, Mr Hancock was strolling previous an anti-vaccination protest close to Parliament with a member of his workers when Tarjanyi filmed him whereas asking why he had “killed so many people”, earlier than shoulder barging him, the court docket heard.

The MP for West Suffolk stated he felt “physically intimidated” and “needed to get to a place of safety” in the course of the five-minute interplay, describing the defendant as being “completely unreasonable”.

“It made me feel unsafe going about my place of work, it made me frustrated that instead of engaging in a normal debate, someone was trying to intimidate me, I thought that was unacceptable.

“I had a reasonably good impression he was taken over by these ridiculous conspiracy theories,” he informed the court docket.

During the second incident, the defendant is alleged to have adopted Mr Hancock by means of Westminster underground station round 8am on 24 January, earlier than boarding the identical prepare.

The politician, who had simply had breakfast with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, informed the court docket he recognised the defendant and felt “more intimidated” as a result of he was alone.

He requested Transport for London (TfL) workers to intervene – however claimed Tarjanyi started harassing “anyone who came to my aid”.

Mr Hancock stated he stopped on the high of an escalator to “resolve the situation” – however that he was “being pushed from behind”.

“Obviously I was extremely worried at this time,” he informed the court docket.

“If I had lost my balance at this point, I would have tumbled down the escalator.

“I had to work to maintain my balance and stop myself falling down the escalator.”

Both males boarded a Jubilee Line prepare earlier than Tarjanyi accused Mr Hancock of “murdering millions of people” and branded him a “murderous scumbag”, the court docket heard.

The confrontation ended once they had been separated at Bond Street station.

Mr Hancock stated he did not get on the Tube for a while after because of fears of additional incidents that might “put my safety at risk”.

However, the defendant claims the MP “barged into him” and denies assaulting him in “any way, shape or form”.

Defending, Parveen Mansoor urged Tarjanyi walked into Mr Hancock after he stopped on the escalator.

But he responded: “Oh please… the idea that it was my fault he walked into me is ridiculous.”

Mr Hancock rebuffed claims he exaggerated what occurred on each events to “get sympathy” or silence the defendant.

“I wouldn’t make such an accusation lightly, and I certainly wouldn’t if it was untrue,” he stated.

Mr Hancock didn’t report the primary incident on 19 January – telling the court docket he did not need to give the defendant the “oxygen of publicity for wholly false and dangerous conspiracy theories.”

Read extra:

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Hancock wanted to ‘frighten the pants off everyone’ about COVID, leaked WhatsApp messages say

The former well being secretary resigned in shame after admitting to breaching his personal social-distancing tips when leaked CCTV confirmed him kissing his married lover, aide Gina Coladangelo, in his workplace.

He later discovered himself embroiled in additional scandal when he jetted to the Australian jungle for a controversial appearance on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here – which led to the whip being suspended.

A supply near Mr Hancock revealed he “doesn’t expect to serve in government again” – earlier than he introduced he would not contest his seat at the next election.

The trial has been adjourned till 4 July.