The naked truth
Thursday, September 3, 2009 I loved the story about the naked man on the plinth in Trafalgar Square. The ex-copper who complained sounded a bit humourless. I know how high that plinth is and you'd need a decent pair of binoculars to see anything untoward.
Nevertheless I was a little surprised to read the statement: "A police spokesman said it was not a crime to appear naked in public".
Really? So if I take off all my clothes and walk down the high street I won't be committing a criminal offence?
What about that chap who tried to walk from Lands End to John O'Groats a few years back wearing nothing but a beard and a rucksack? I lost count of the number of times he ended up in court (or was that just in Scotland?). Leave him be, I used to shout out in frustration. He's eccentric, he's not doing anyone any harm!
There's something else. I dare someone, anyone, to walk into a pub today naked while smoking a cigarette. If that police statement is correct, you will only be committing one offence. But it won't be the little thing between your lips that everyone will be talking about.
Full story HERE.
Reader Comments (4)
I am not sure about a crime to be naked in public but I believe that only men can be prosecuted for indecent exposure as a woman's body cannot be deemed to be 'indecent'.
However framed that law must have never been out on a Saturday night in certain cities!!!
Would the fellow be allowed to smoke in his own box, over 50% enclosed, in a public place?
If he put a box around his smoking wedding tackle that would constitute more than 50% enclosed...so some self righteous bugger would immediatley arrest him.
Really, isn't it a pity that he didn't take his fags up there with him and light up in his box. It would have been an interesting question as to whether his box was 'a public, substantially enclosed place'.
The beauty of the thought is that it illustrates the nonsense of 'substantially enclosed public place' - railway platforms spring to mind.