The Queen, Prince William and Kate avoided a recent Buckingham Palace scare. On Sunday, an arrest was made just outside the courtyard gates.
It all started when a man named Talhat Rehman started frightening tourists who were watching the changing of the guard. He launched into a lengthy verbal speech which has not yet been disclosed. That was frightening enough for those who were standing nearby. However, then he pulled out two knives and began flailing them about as he spoke. He even held one of the blades to his throat and pointed the other at his chest at one point. When police arrived to arrest him, the man threatened them with the weapons, forcing them to use a taser to disarm him.
Some assume the act was politically motivated given that Talhat Rehman once ran for Brent Council as a candidate of the Tory Party. However, that has neither been confirmed nor denied.
Luckily, the Queen and everyone else in the royal party was away from home at the time of the incident. There was no immediate danger to the royals. However, the close call proved that no place is safe if someone is smart enough to work around the system, as was Rehman. It also proved another point for some people; that guns aren't the only weapon of choice. Knives are dangerous as well.
Rehman will face charges of "possessing a bladed weapon" and "creating an affray". The latter means "fighting of two or more persons in a public place that causes ordinary people to fear for their safety". He'll appear in court sometime today.
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Comments: 7
The papers are reporting that the man had been swindled out of money by a solicitor, who then declared bankruptcy. The police found that no crime had taken placr and urged him to have the charge heard in a civil court.
He wanted to ask the assistance of the Queen. The poor man obviously has little knowledge of how the justice system works.
Frankly, I think the man needs to be psychiatrically assessed.
Nicely written, Charlotte, thanks for sharing.