Broadcasting veteran David Dimbleby says he has never seen the country “so divided” as it is over Brexit.
The BBC stalwart, who has hosted coverage of every general election since 1979, spoke to protesters outside the Supreme Court as justices were asked to rule that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament for five weeks was unlawful.
People lined the streets outside the court in the heart of Westminster, holding signs saying “defend democracy”, “reopen Parliament” and “they misled the Queen”.
They included someone dressed as the Incredible Hulk who was seen being “arrested” by another in a Robocop costume, just as proceedings began.
Mr Dimbleby said: “I lived through Suez, the miners’ strike, I lived through the poll tax debate and the trouble then. I lived through the Iraq demonstrations – I’ve never seen the country so divided as this.
“The next six weeks are clearly critical. I’ve never known the country so seriously riven by argument.”
He said the court case was “not just dramatic – it’s really, really important for all our futures”.
“The prime minister is accused of lying to the Queen – let’s put it bluntly – and getting parliament suspended without good reason, and that’s big potatoes, it has to be,” he continued.
In front of signs protesting against the prorogation of Parliament, the Robocop impersonator was pictured handcuffing the Hulk, who was wearing a distinctive blond wig, in an apparent reference to Mr Johnson’s recent superhero metaphor.
The Prime Minister told the Mail on Sunday that the UK will break out of the European Union’s “manacles” like the character of Bruce Banner, a scientist who transforms into the giant green Hulk when angered in the Marvel movies and comics.
The man beneath the Robocop costume, Charlie Rome, 35, said: “Robocop, he stood for the rule of law in a kind of dystopian future where there was corruption rife across the police and the corporations.
“I think it’s quite fitting at this quite worrying juncture in our parliamentary democracy.”
Referring to his outfit, Mr Rome added: “The irony of being in a tin foil hat is not lost on me!”
Another protester could be seen campaigning against Parliament being silenced by wearing a bandage across her mouth.
Meanwhile, a single pro-Brexit supporter shouting “we voted leave”, “we want our country back” and “democracy deniers” was ushered away from anti-Brexit protesters outside of the court.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article