Angry scenes broke out during the Mayor’s Question Time session following heckling from the public gallery and comments from Mayor Boris Johnson in which he appeared to liken some in the Taxi trade to “luddites”.
The meeting was suspended as a result of the disruption and the chamber abandoned by Mr Johnson and members of the London Assembly.
When the meeting was reconvened in another part of the building it was announced that a security guard had been injured in a scuffle, initially believed to be between staff and protestors failing to leave the building.
However Scotland Yard now says the the assault occurred after “a group of around 20 protestors forced their way in to City Hall”.
According to the Met’s statement: “Once inside, the group attempted to enter the public gallery but they were prevented by security staff and police officers, some of whom were assaulted by the group.”
The injured guard was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was treated for concussion and later released.
Officers described the man they would like to speak to as white, around 50-years-old, approximately 6 feet tall with a partly shaved head and a receding hairline and say he was wearing black leather trousers and a black leather motorcycle jacket with a light brown stripe on the arms.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Barnes of the Met’s Public Order Investigation Team said: “This went far beyond peaceful protest and is completely unacceptable.
“Our team are now working through CCTV and will be looking to identify a number of people wanted in relation to this violent incident.
“Today we have released one image of a suspect in relation to the most violent assault on the security guard. I expect more to follow soon.”
Officers are asking anyone with information to contact the Met’s Public Order Crime Unit on 020 8246 0068 or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
