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Complaint lodged over naked Fourth Plinther
Peter Dominiczak03.09.09
An official complaint has been lodged with the police after a man stood naked for an hour on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
Justin Holwell stripped at the start of his one-hour slot at 2pm on Sunday as part of artist Antony Gormley's One and Other project.
Mark Williams-Thomas, a former detective constable with Surrey Police, complained that his wife and children were “annoyed and upset” by the strip and he “fully expected that the surrounding police or organisers would stop this man”. However, officers refused to remove Mr Holwell as it is not a crime to appear naked in public.
Mr Holwell, 24, of Loughborough, said he confirmed with organisers that he would be permitted to undress. “When I decided to go on this, I didn't really have any idea what to do. I was chatting to my mates about it, they see me as a bit of an exhibitionist, this seemed the natural way to go,” he said.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “This complaint is currently being considered, and the complainant will be notified in due course.”
Reader views (13)
I find it quite sad that people complain about a naked body. We all have one. It the natural human form & it is how we are born. Get a life.
- Dom, London
Why is nudity considered indecent? And as for everyone who's poured scorn on Holwell here: do you really hate the human body? If so, how can you bear to look at yourself?
- Charlie, Soho, London
There's nothing wrong with the naked human body.
Anyone who has a problem with it is usually hung up about their own body or a victim of religious brainwashing.
Does the idiot policeman not realise that under our clothes we're all pretty much the same?
Get a grip!!
- Captain Sensible, London
Thankfully this Numpty is no longer a serving officer. We don't want over sensitive prudes policing us.
let's hope the poor dear kept his wife and family away from the statues and paintings on show all over London which depict the naked human form.
What a total cretin.
- Kerry, Purley
For it to be indecent exposure he has to intend alarm or distress. It's a grey area as he could contend that wasn't the intention. In any case I think it's incredibly crass of him, why should he impose himself on others in this way so publicly. It's unpleasent and he should have been asked to consider others.
- S Stander, London
Is this not considered 'Breach of the Peace' anymore?
- Ged, Blackheath, London
Relax. This is probably one of the more harmless examples of exhibitionism; the childish need for attention, the need to scream 'look at me'. It's not particularly offensive; just rather pathetic. By contrast, many of our arrogant banking friends suffer from the same vain disorder, with far more detrimental results!
- Kevin Lynch, Dublin
In my opinion the plinth project is insane - about par for the course in dumpUK.
- Ted, London
Being naked in public does not necessarily equal indecent exposure. Steve Gough was only brought before the courts in Scotland, where laws are different, and, I believe, he was only convicted first of contempt and then of breach of the peace. He was only arrested twice in England during his ramble from Lands End to John O'Groats, but almost immediately released.
- Escobar-Alop-Lop, Camden County
"annoyed and upset" at the sight of a human body, we all have them its no big suprise, look away if it offends but so sad if it does, it may not have been pretty but then not everything in life is gorgeous to look at!
- Cecilia, Exeter, UK
Not a crime to appear naked in public? Then why was Steve Gough, the Naked Rambler, brought before the Courts several times during his naked charity walks around the UK?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Nethands
That's funny. I thought 'indecent exposure' was a crime. Silly me to assume to know more than the Metropolitan Police.
- Paul, Rochester UK
Surely all this gentleman had to do was to turn his head and remove his family from the square. What harm did it do to anyone. It is like tv if you do not like the programme do not watch it.
- Anon, uk
