Key facts
- Tim Speers is accused of planning to spray paint "Palestine" at Boris Johnson's wedding party.
- Police found Speers with spray paint, super glue, and red boiler suits at the Daylesford Estate.
- Speers allegedly recorded a voice note detailing the protest plan.
- The protest was allegedly aimed at Lord Bamford, owner of JCB, due to its use in demolishing Palestinian homes.
- Speers denies charges of having items with intent to damage property and possession of drugs.
A man is on trial accused of plotting to spray paint the word "Palestine" on the lawn of the venue hosting Boris Johnson's wedding party. Tim Speers, 41, was apprehended by police at the Daylesford Estate in Gloucestershire on July 29, 2022, the day before the celebration was scheduled to take place.
Prosecutors told Southwark Crown Court that Speers and another man were found carrying spray paint, super glue, and red boiler suits. A voice note recorded by Speers, discovered by police, allegedly detailed a plan to spray paint "Palestine" in red paint onto a large heart-shaped feature mowed into the lawn. The target of the protest was reportedly Lord Bamford, owner of JCB, whose company's equipment was allegedly used to demolish Palestinian homes.
Speers denies having items with intent to damage property, as well as charges related to possession of cannabis and Etizolam. His defence is expected to argue that he had abandoned the protest plan upon noticing the significant security presence at the estate. The wedding celebration for Boris and Carrie Johnson took place at Daylesford House on July 30, 2022.
The trial continues.