MAY-BOWLES: MURDOCH’S ALLEGED PIE THROWER TO FACE COURT NEXT WEEK

A protestor accused of throwing a plate of shaving foam in the face of media mogul Rupert Murdoch during yesterday’s (Tues) phone hacking debate is to appear in court next week.

Jonathan May-Bowles, 26, has been charged under the Public Order Act with causing harassment, alarm or distress in a public place.

It is alleged he threw the shaving foam pie as Mr Murdoch answered questions, along with his son James, before the Culture Select Committee.

Left-wing campaigner May-Bowles, a stand-up comedian who goes by the name Jonny Marbles, had been sat in the public gallery during the question and answer session.

It is claimed he produced the foam and plate from a carrier bag and aimed it at the 80-year-old’s face.

The incident led to a 10-minute adjournment in the hearing and Mr Murdoch later returned to continue answering questions without his suit jacket.

May-Bowles, of Edinburgh Gardens, Windsor, Berks, was arrested at the scene after Mr Murdoch’s wife Wendi (corr) leapt from her seat to defend her partner.

It is claimed that before the incident he wrote on his Twitter account: ‘It is a far better thing that I do now than I have ever done before #splat.’

May-Bowles is understood to be a former student of Royal Holloway, University of London.

He was charged last night and was bailed to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, July 29.

ENDS