Home Secretary James Cleverly lent his support to an armed police officer who intervened when a group of American tourists allegedly heckled a King’s Guard, telling them they were “taking the p***” out of a King’s Guard on duty in London.
The incident unfolded at the Horse Guards building off Whitehall, where the soldier was stationed.
According to eyewitnesses, a group of young tourists began taunting the Guard, prompting the intervention of an armed Metropolitan Police officer.
The officer told tourists the Guard was “protecting” the area and should not be derided as an “object of ridicule”.
“The soldier is protecting this facility. He’s not an object of ridicule,” the police officer reportedly said. “He’s got a long day ahead of him, and it’s not appreciated that you’re making fun of him.”
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The tourists, some of whom appeared to be American, reportedly left the area looking sheepish after being reprimanded by the police officer.
Footage, posted on TikTok, appears to show a group of American tourists shouting a series of names at the guard in what seems like an attempt to guess his name.
But after getting no reaction, the group continue their heckling, filming the guard as he refuses to step away from his post.
After noticing the commotion, two police officers make their way over to the group, with one speaking to the guard. As the guard responds to the officer, the group of around six people start cheering as he finally breaks his stance.
However, the officer, clearly not bemused by their heckling, shut down the group.
