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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Nuray Bulbul

Tory MP Lee Anderson challenges Brexit activist Steve Bray to a boxing match: how to watch the fight live

Tory MP Lee Anderson is going to fight Brexit protester Steve Bray live on television.

After months of quarrels outside of Westminster, the Tory party deputy chairman and Bray will face off in the ring. 

Details for the fight are yet to be confirmed, but GB News has agreed to televise the ‘Thrilla by the River’.

Bray is a vocal Remainer who uses a megaphone to scream for the UK to rejoin the EU while holding anti-Brexit signs outside the Houses of Parliament.

Last month, Anderson challenged Bray, stating that, if he won, Bray would have to end his protests.

At first, Bray declined. His participation in the battle has already been confirmed, though, and Bray has his own condition.

If he wins, Anderson has to step down.

Who is Lee Anderson?

Anderson is the local Conservative Member of Parliament for Ashfield & Eastwood. He is also the deputy chair for the Conservative Party.

He has been a Conservative MP continuously since December 12, 2019. Prior to this, he served as a Labour councillor in Ashfield from 2015.

Before politics, he was a coal miner and worked for Citizens’ Advice.

Born in Nottinghamshire, Anderson is married to Sinead, a Conservative councillor on Mansfield District Council who has represented the ward of Eakring since 2019.

Although the 56-year-old has achieved a lot in his life, he has also created many enemies.

Some of his headlines include supporting the reinstatement of the death penalty, getting suspended by the Labour Party for blocking travellers, asking a friend to pose as a swing voter for a photo call, and many more.

Who is Steve Bray?

Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray on Parliament Square (Sophie Wingate / PA)

Bray is an anti-Brexit activist from South Wales who, in 2018 and 2019, made daily protests against Brexit in College Green, Westminster.

He is variously known as Stop Brexit Man, Mr Stop Brexit, or the Stop Brexit guy.

He was often heard during TV broadcasts from College Green at Westminster shouting anti-Brexit statements or seen quietly walking into the background of live TV interviews, wearing a colourful blue outfit and carrying placards with a simple ‘Stop Brexit’ or anti-government message.

Since Brexit, he protests against the incumbent Conservative government more generally.

What are they arguing over?

The two frequently fought outside of Westminster, where Bray could be seen almost every day using a megaphone to protest against the Tory government, and calling for Britain to rejoin the EU.

Anderson was recently embroiled in a scuffle with Bray outside Portcullis House in Westminster. Things got heated after Anderson stole Bray’s hat, with law-enforcement officers having to intervene. Bray has since reported the incident to the police, he said.

After that, the MP challenged Bray to a boxing battle, saying he ought to find a real job.

When will the match be televised?

GB News has been contacted for further details but, at the time of going to press, there are no further details yet on when you can watch the match.

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