TV reporter 'assaulted live on air' while covering London Black Lives Matters protests

Nine News correspondent Sophie Walsh, 34, moments after the alleged incident (Picture: Nine News)
Nine News correspondent Sophie Walsh, 34, moments after the alleged incident (Picture: Nine News)

A man has been arrested in central London after allegedly grabbing a reporter during a live broadcast.

Correspondent Sophie Walsh, 34, from Australia’s Nine News, was heard screaming during a live broadcast and looked visibly shaken when the camera cut to her.

She had been reporting on the planned Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park at around 9.45am on Wednesday when the alleged attack happened in Park Lane.

Walsh, who is European reporter for Nine News, told her colleague: “Sorry, I just had someone come up and try and... yeah.

“A man just came up and grabbed me. He's not armed. A man just came up and grabbed me though.”

She was unharmed in the incident.

A suspect was later arrested by police after being detained by Nine's camera operator Jason Conduit and bystanders.

He was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.

TV anchor Brenton Ragless added it was unclear if the man had been armed with a screwdriver.

A man was detained by police (Picture: Nine News)
A man was detained by police (Picture: Nine News)

A video showed a man being held on a car bonnet by two police officers.

The Met Police said in a statement: “Police were called at 09:46 on Wednesday, 03 June to Park Lane, W1 reports of an assault and a man making threats.

“Police nearby gave chase and detained the man. No injuries have been reported at this time.

“A man, no further details, was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.

“He has been taken to a central London police station, where he remains at this time.”

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