Naked Rambler In Naked Arrest

The Naked Rambler, Stepehn Gough, and his two equally naked companions - his girlfriend and a shy and retiring male librarian - have been up before the beak in Harrogate with predictable consequences.

According to Harrogate Today, Gough was kept in in police cells overnight before facing a charge of 'using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour' then refused to don any clothes for his court appearance.

The magistrates chairman then refused him permission to appear in court naked on the grounds that it was 'inappropriate'. He was then bailed, but reportedly re-arrested as he left the cells because he was still naked.

The court appearance follows on from the arrest of the trio in Gargrave, in the Dales, early last week for being, erm, naked. The trio hit the Yorkshire Post headlines when they popped into the local C-op Late Shop in the village near Sklipton where they stocked up on crisps, drink and chocolate. Outside however, they were arrested by police.

Gough and his companions are attempting to repeat his Land End to John o'Groats naked walk to draw attention to his ongoing campaign to promote a more tolerant attitude towards public nudity. So far it doesn't really seem to be working. According to one witness in the Co-op store:

"Some of the other shoppers had been giving them some dirty looks and there was a long queue behind them at the checkout."

Today's Guardian newspaper, however, reports that charges have been dropped...