Jury discharged in Boris Johnson wedding plot trial

· 2 min read

Boris Johnson standing next to his wife Carrie with his arm around her. He is wearing a black suit, white shirt and blue tie. Carrie is wearing a lace wedding dress with intricate detailing down the middle and on the sleeves. She is also wearing a white rose flower crown and smiling at her husband. They are standing on an outdoor staircase surrounded by foliage and flowers.Image source, PA images

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Boris and Carrie Johnson held a party to celebrate their marriage at Doylesford Estate in Gloucestershire on 29 July 2022

ByChloe Harcombe

West of England

A jury has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict in the trial of a man accused of plotting to disrupt Boris Johnson's wedding reception.

Tim Speers, 41, allegedly carried spray paint and superglue to the Doylesford Estate in Gloucestershire on 29 July 2022, on the eve of the former prime minister and Carrie Johnson's wedding reception.

Speers, from Bude, Cornwall, denied having items with intent to cause criminal damage and said he abandoned the idea to spray "Palestine" on the lawn by the time police approached him.

The judge discharged the jury and adjourned the case at Southwark Crown Court until 29 September, when prosecutors have been told to indicate if they want a retrial.

During the trial, the jury heard that police stopped Speers and another man, who will stand trial at a later date, after the pair were spotted carrying cans of beer at the Cotswold estate.

They initially refused to tell police why they were there and then said they were on holiday.

A view across a field showing four peaks of a large white marquee set up in the countryside. There are fairy lights draped in a string over the top and in the background there is a row of large, dense green trees.Image source, Steve Parsons/PA

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The Johnsons had marquees set up in the Daylesford grounds with hay bale seating outside

Christiaan Moll, prosecuting, said police found a voice note recorded by Speers the day before his arrest in which he said he had been asked by two Palestine Action activists to take part in "action" and he "agreed to do it".

The jury - which began deliberations on Friday - had sent the judge a series of notes that said they were "stuck" and divided on the verdict.

The Johnsons were married in a private ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in May 2021.

They hosted their wedding celebrations at Daylesford House on 30 July the following year, setting up marquees and hay bales in the grounds.

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