Muhammad Khan, 28, from east London, was charged on Saturday under the Public Order Act with “conduct intended to cause alarm, annoyance or distress”. There were reports of a “commotion” on Friday night in Westminster Hall, where the Queen was lying in state, and that someone was seen running up the steps to the catafalque and touching the coffin. The Metropolitan Police are said to have rushed to arrest a man just before 10pm on Friday, the second full day mourners were able to pay their respects to the former monarch, hours after a vigil by senior royals. In a statement, the Met said a man had been charged with an offense under the Public Order Act. At the time of the incident, broadcasters showing the procession of mourners were cut from the scene and showing the view outside parliament. Khan will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
