US police ‘on leave’ over Seven Sunrise TV crew assault; two Nine journalists attacked in London

Two US police officers are taken off the beat over the Seven crew assault in Washington as two Nine journos are attacked.

Two US police officers have been placed on administrative leave after a Seven Network journalist and cameraman were beaten at a rally outside the White House as two more Australian journalists were attacked in London.

Amelia Brace and Tim Myers were broadcasting live back to Australia on Monday when US Park Police in riot gear began aggressively clearing Washington DC’s Lafayette Square. Brace was clubbed with a truncheon and Myers punched and hit with a riot shield.

“As is consistent with our established practices and procedures, two US Park Police officers have been assigned to administrative duties, while an investigation takes place regarding the incident with the Australian Press,” Park Police acting Chief Gregory Monahan said on Wednesday.

(2 of 2) "As is consistent with our established practices and procedures, two U.S. Park Police officers have been assigned to administrative duties, while an investigation takes place regarding the incident with the Australian Press."

— USPPNEWS (@usparkpolicepio) June 3, 2020

The park was filled with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who died during a police arrest last week. The park was aggressively cleared to allow US President Donald Trump to pose for photos outside a church holding a bible.

The development comes as Nine television reporters Sophie Walsh and Ben Avery were involved in incidents in London overnight.

Walsh believed a man who attacked her while live on air during a cross from Hyde Park in central London on Wednesday was armed with a knife or wearing a suicide vest, prompting her to abruptly end the news broadcast.

Walsh was initially surprised by a man who grabbed her from behind around the waist, yelling Allahu Akbar and making a stabbing motion, forcing her to fend him off and scream in shock.

At that moment Walsh was broadcasting to Adelaide’s Channel 9, and the network was showing footage of Paris riots in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. The network only captured Walsh’s voiceover and then her startled screams. When the camera returned to Walsh, she said: “Sorry, I just … I just had someone come up and try and … yeah. A man just came up and grabbed me. He’s not armed. A man just came up and grabbed me though.”

The man was detained by London police. Picture: Nine

But Walsh has told The Australian that the man made stabbing motions into her back and also “swung at me and punched me”. When the broadcast returned to her the man was only metres away and far from him being unarmed, she believed she and her cameraman were in imminent danger.

“The fact he was lingering and was super calm: I thought ‘this guy is intent on harm’, he was very calculated,” she recalled.

Walsh added she bent down and abruptly ended the broadcast because “he had his hand inside his tracksuit pocket and I thought he had a knife or was about to detonate a suicide vest.”

A stills photographer who was nearby later reported that the man claimed to have put a bomb in a bin.

Television cameraman Jason Conduit believed the man was carrying a knife, and he armed himself with a lighting stand for protection and chased him through the park, calling police as he did. Conduit was wary that the alleged attack may be part of a co-ordinated plan with others in the vicinity.

Within minutes a regular Hyde Park patrol cornered the alleged attacker. Police discovered he was in possession of a screwdriver and checked Walsh for injuries. They believe he acted alone.

Walsh said she was shaken by the “crazy” incident, but was OK. She was especially shocked because it was such a peaceful and quiet scene in the park, with squirrels running around, and the alleged attack appeared out of nowhere and was totally unexpected.

“I’m fine now,” she said.

Walsh described the incident as ‘crazy’. Picture: Nine

Walsh was unharmed during the incident. Picture: Nine

Nine said in a statement: “Nine News appreciates the enormous pressure our international correspondents are currently under and is offering Sophie all the support she needs.

“Sophie is grateful for the outpouring of support she has received from the public and wishes to reassure our viewers that she is safe and well.”

The Met Police said in a statement: “police were called at 09:46 on Wednesday, 03 June to Park Lane, W1 following reports of an assault and a man making threats. Police nearby gave chase and detained the man. No injuries have been reported at this time. A man, no further details, was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs. He has been taken to a central London police station, where he remains at this time.”

On Wednesday evening, the attacks against journalists continued when Nine News Europe correspondent Avery and his camera operator had to flee from a band of protesters near the Houses of Parliament.

Avery was doing a live cross about the Black Lives Matter demonstrations when protesters gathered around Avery and it appeared the cameraman was hit from behind. The two journalists fled down a covered construction tunnel, running past a line of police to escape the chasing mob. Avery dropped his microphone in the melee.

#BREAKING: Nine News Europe Correspondent @benavery9 has had to abandon his coverage as protesters clash with police in London. #9News pic.twitter.com/xL3x7ACdvj

— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) June 3, 2020

With AAP