Police tackle Daniel Andrews heckler to ground

A protester who heckled Daniel Andrews at his daily Covid press conference has been tackled to the ground by police.

A loud protester has interrupted a press conference with Premier Daniel Andrews, with the man tackled to the ground by police after he arrived unannounced.

The man arrived halfway through the hour-long press conference and startled the media pack as he began yelling “Premier Daniel Andrews” while police restrained him on the ground.

He continued to yell over the top of the premier, Covid commander Jeroen Weimar and chief health officer Brett Sutton as they provided updates on the state’s latest outbreak.

Daniel Andrews, Brett Sutton and Jeroen Weimar speaking at a coronavirus update. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Geraghty

PSO officers surround the man. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Wayne Taylor

It’s understood the man had been asking police to hand notes to Mr Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Wayne Taylor

“I have come here to see you,” the man said.

“I have been writing to you for six months.”

It’s understood the man had been in the area for hours and had been asking police to pass notes to the premier.

He claimed to have a broken leg after he had been tackled to the ground.

Not long after, another heckler arrived and began yelling about Health Minister Martin Foley but was escorted away.

When asked about the protester, Mr Andrews said he wasn’t sure whether the man wanted to talk about lockdowns or other issues.

“We don’t know if it’s even about Covid,” he said.

“It’s someone who has wanted to speak to me for some time.

“Shouting doesn’t work against this virus, interrupting anyone doesn’t work against this virus.

“Like I said the other day, if frustration and anger was effective against the coronavirus we’d all be double-dose vaccinated by now.”