Court hears of naked protest on President Bush’s visit

A 31-year-old American leapt naked from the crowd as President George W Bush visited Buckingham Palace last week, a court heard today.

Bruce Gregory Friedrich, from Washington, allegedly streaked outside the palace gates shortly before the president lunched with the Queen.

Friedrich denied the charge of disorderly behaviour when he appeared at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.

Anne-Marie Blunder said he was caught by police last Thursday before a fleet of cars carrying President Bush arrived at the palace.

‘‘As President Bush drove towards Buckingham Palace Mr Friedrich ran across to him wearing no clothes at the time. He was then arrested,’’ she said.

Miss Blunder added that the incident had been captured on television.

The president and his wife, Laura, were having lunch with the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of York at the palace.

For Friedrich, Patricia Sheehan said her client was currently staying at an address in south east London and would be returning to the US on September 6.

Magistrates adjourned the case until Friday, August 3 for a pre-trial review hearing to allow for the video of the incident to become available.

Friedrich was released on unconditional bail.