Stalker Appeal Rejected: South London Man Pursued Ex-Cabinet Minister
A South London protester’s appeal has been crushed after he was found guilty of stalking former cabinet minister Sir Gavin Williamson.
Parry Caught Following Sir Gavin Twice in 2023
Simon Parry, 45, from Walworth, was convicted of “persistently following” Sir Gavin on two occasions last year—May 24 and June 14, 2023. Parry’s actions were caught on camera as he bombarded the ex-education and defence secretary with conspiracy theory questions about COVID-19, Bill Gates, and the World Economic Forum.
Sentenced But Tried to Dodge Prison
Parry was originally handed a 10-week suspended sentence at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November 2023, following his stalking conviction at City of London Magistrates’ Court. However, on Wednesday, Southwark Crown Court rejected his appeal, confirming the severity of his behaviour.
Sir Gavin Speaks Out: “It Felt Like a Trap”
“I was being filmed with these uneasy statements being made. It felt like someone was trying to trap you,” Sir Gavin told the court, recalling his first encounter with Parry near Parliament. He described the incident as “very hostile, very assertive” and said it left him stressed and scared.
During the June 14 incident, Parry followed Sir Gavin for 22 minutes from the parliamentary estate to Euston station, even threatening a citizen’s arrest. Sir Gavin confessed his concern for his family’s safety, saying, “It makes me wonder about having my family in London… I would be mortified if my children had to experience that.”
Parry Claims Innocence, Compares Self to TV Prankster
Parry insists he never meant to stalk and said he had similar encounters with politicians like Keir Starmer and Jacob Rees-Mogg. “I just wanted to ask him one question and that’s what I waited for. It could have been over in one minute,” he argued. Piers Corbyn backed Parry in court, likening the protests to 1990s show Trigger Happy TV stunts designed to entertain and shock.
The court, however, ruled that Parry’s actions left Sir Gavin genuinely frightened, reaffirming the stalking conviction and highlighting the serious impact on the former minister.
