Pro-Palestinian Activist Confronts Jewish Comedian Matt Lucas on London Underground
Thomas Abdullah Bourne, a 39-year-old Islamic convert and fundraising consultant from East London, has been identified as the pro-Palestinian activist who followed and harassed Jewish comedian Matt Lucas on the London Underground over the weekend. Bourne, who uses the social media handle ‘White British Muslim’, approached the 51-year-old comedian, shouting ‘Free Palestine’ and questioning him about his attire.
Video Shows Escalator Confrontation
A viral video clip depicts the incident, showing Lucas wearing a black jacket, red jumper, and white cap while riding an escalator in a Tube station. Upon realizing he was being filmed, the Little Britain star attempted to block his face with his hand. Bourne then shouted, ‘Free Palestine. Free Palestine, Matt Lucas,’ before asking, ‘You don't like what I'm wearing, do you?’—a reference to his keffiyeh, the traditional black-and-white chequered scarf symbolizing Palestinian solidarity.
Lucas responded calmly, stating, ‘No, I have no comment about it either way.’ When Bourne pressed further, asking if he had ‘a problem with Palestinians,’ Lucas simply said ‘No’ and tried to push the camera away. Bourne retorted, ‘Don't do that, don't grab my stuff,’ as Lucas walked away, with the activist muttering ‘Zionist’ to the camera.
Activist's Background and Online Presence
Thomas Abdullah Bourne has become a recognizable figure in pro-Palestinian protest circles in London, often photographed at rallies and once pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn while wearing a keffiyeh and a fake press hat. In other images, he is seen linking arms with protesters in a t-shirt reading ‘stop the genocide, end apartheid, free Palestine.’ Last month, he was outside the Royal Courts of Justice with a sign criticizing the UK government.
Following the viral spread of the clip, Bourne quickly deleted his Instagram accounts, though numerous images of him at protests remain online. He has previously vowed to continue supporting Palestine Action, a group whose ban was ruled unlawful last summer, stating he would do so ‘absolutely, with all of my heart.’
Matt Lucas's Response and Personal Background
Matt Lucas, raised in a Reform Jewish household with Orthodox Jewish ancestry, has described himself as an ‘atheist’ and ‘fairly secular Jew.’ In October 2023, he signed the ‘No Hostage Left Behind’ open letter, celebrating the release of hostages and thanking then US President Joe Biden for support in Israel's fight against Hamas. However, he has not been a vocal presence on the conflict.
Lucas's family history includes relatives who fled Nazi Germany before World War II, and he discovered on the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? that an ancestor was mentioned in Anne Frank's diary. Online commenters praised his calm demeanor during the confrontation, with one noting, ‘How disgusting, but I think Matt Lucas handled it calmly & well. He shouldn’t have had to though.’
Rise in Antisemitic Incidents in the UK
The incident occurs amid a significant increase in antisemitic incidents across the UK since the October 7 attacks in 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths in Israel and prompted a war in Gaza believed to have killed around 70,000 people. Polling by YouGov last year revealed alarming trends, with 21% of Britons now holding or agreeing with antisemitic views, up from 16% in 2024 and 11% in 2021.
Additionally, 45% believe Israel treats Palestinians like the Nazis treated Jews, a record figure that is highest among young people (60%) and Londoners (48%). The Campaign Against Antisemitism has labeled these findings ‘deeply alarming,’ indicating a rise in extremism. Examples include graffiti in Stamford Hill, London, showing a Star of David with a cross spray-painted over it.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Matt Lucas's representatives for comment, but no response has been provided yet. The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions and the targeting of individuals based on their heritage, sparking broader discussions about harassment and antisemitism in public spaces.
