An OnlyFans model’s act of protest against Nigel Farage with a milkshake has sparked a controversial legal battle that will soon unfold in court. Here’s the full story.
Messy or Dangerous?
Following the attempted assassination of former President and convicted criminal Donald Trump, attitudes towards assault on politicians have changed significantly. Incidents that previously were considered messy, occasionally humorous, yet not dangerous, acts of protest have now come under the spotlight.
Bowen’s Legal Battle
This will undoubtedly affect the trial of Victoria Thomas Bowen, an OnlyFans model who found herself at the centre of a political firestorm and now a controversial legal battle following her milkshake protest against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Infamous Milkshake Incident
The incident, which occurred in Clacton-on-Sea, took place outside the Moon and Starfish Wetherspoons pub and catapulted Thomas Bowen to a position of instant infamy, with equal support and condemnation of her decision online and in the media.
Viral Milkshake Throw
As Farage exited the pub, Thomas Bowen threw a McDonald’s banana milkshake over him, the photos of which went instantly viral but brought legal consequences against Thomas Bowen.
“Made My Point”
Following the incident, Thomas Bowen told the Sun she disagrees with Farage on several issues and argued that, via the medium of milkshake, she had “made my point.”
Charged With Assault
Thomas Bowen was charged with assault by beating and criminal damage. On Tuesday, she appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and pleaded not guilty to both charges. The charges stem from allegations that Bowen deliberately threw the milkshake at Farage, causing £30 worth of damage to a jacket owned by James Woolfenden, another individual involved in the incident.
Bowen’s Defense
Bowen’s lawyer, Caroline Liggins, stated, “My client strongly protests her innocence and looks forward to fighting these unjust charges in court.”
Disputing Prosecution’s Narrative
Though Bowen admitted to throwing the milkshake, her lawyer has questioned “whether prosecution is a proportionate response to the protest carried out by Ms Thomas Bowen”. Bowen’s lawyers have also disputed specific details of the prosecution’s narrative, such as whether the cup itself was thrown and whether she used offensive language during the incident.
Intentional Act of Protest
Prosecutor David Burns emphasised the intentional nature of Bowen’s actions, stating that the milkshake was “deliberately thrown” at Farage. The prosecution aimed to demonstrate that the act was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate act of protest.
Critical Trial Date
This argument would play a critical role in the upcoming trial, which is set for October 21. Farage himself is expected to testify.
Not Farage’s First Milkshake
This is not the first time that Farage has been milkshaked in his long political career. Farage was previously milkshaked in Newcastle in 2019 when campaigning for the European elections.
Symbolic Protests
The act of milkshaking became so prominent that the Collins Dictionary even recognised it. It has become a symbolic, albeit controversial, form of protest against public figures, particularly those with divisive political views.
Farage’s Reaction
Farage described the Clacton incident as “quite frightening” in an interview with ITV News. Despite this, he appeared to make light of the situation in a social media video, humorously stating, “my milkshake brings all the people to the rally.”
Farage’s Candidacy
The event occurred shortly after Farage announced his candidacy for the Clacton seat in the General Election. During this campaign, he ultimately secured victory with 46% of the vote and became Clacton’s MP.
Broader Pattern of Confrontations
The milkshake incident involving Bowen is part of a broader pattern of political confrontations faced by Farage and his party, Reform UK. Last month, 28-year-old Josh Greally admitted throwing a coffee cup and another item at Farage during a campaign event in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Reform UK Controversies
It is perhaps unsurprising that Farage’s Reform UK party has been met with such bittersweet, dairy-based opposition following undercover footage filmed by Channel 4, which revealed one of its activists using a racial slur against former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and suggesting that asylum seekers should be shot.
Candidate Controversies
Several Reform UK candidates also lost the party’s backing in the general election campaign after several controversial statements they had made were discovered online.
Bowen’s Internet Celebrity
As the legal battle unfolds, Thomas Bowen remains on unconditional bail until her trial in October. Despite her legal troubles, the milkshake incident has catapulted Thomas Bowen to the heights of internet celebrity. It may even be lucrative for the model, whose Instagram followers and OnlyFans subscribers skyrocketed following the incident.
Legal Precedent
The court’s decision will not only determine Thomas Bowen’s fate but may also set a precedent for how such acts of protest are legally interpreted and prosecuted. It remains to be seen whether the court will view milkshaking as a harmless yet messy political protest or whether the full force of the law will be brought down upon Victoria Thomas Bowen.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Michael Tubi.