Australia ‘egg boy’ clash: Senator cleared as teenager handed caution

Connolly, now better known as Eggboi, cracked an egg over Anning's head [AP]

Video of last month’s clash involving Senator Fraser Anning went viral and sparked debate in Australia over who – if anyone – should face police action.

Police cautioned the 17-year-old boy, but said neither would face charges.

The incident happened after Senator Anning caused fury by blaming the New Zealand mosque attacks on Muslim migration.

Last week, the Senate censured Mr Anning for his comments which he made on the day that dozens of Muslims were killed by a gunman in Christchurch.

The egg incident happened in the wake of the controversy when the teenager, Will Connolly, walked up behind the senator during a televised press conference.

Mr Anning responded by hitting the teenager before the lawmaker’s supporters tackled the boy to the ground and put him in a chokehold.Image copyright EPAImage caption Will Connolly was tackled to the ground

On Tuesday, authorities they had made a decision “not to charge” the senator.

“On assessment of all the circumstances, the 69-year-old’s actions were treated as self-defence and there was no reasonable prospect of conviction,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

The teenager had also avoided prosecution but would receive an “official caution”, they added.

Police said they were still searching for one man who allegedly kicked the teenager repeatedly while he was pinned to the ground.

Though some criticised the teenager’s actions at the time, he was largely celebrated online as a hero and quickly earned the nickname “egg boy”.Image copyright AFPImage caption Street art of the incident in Indonesia

An online campaign raised more than $57,000 for any future legal proceedings he may encounter. The teenager was also offered concert tickets, praised by celebrities and featured in street murals.

“I understand what I did was not the right thing to do,” he told the local Ten network last month.

“However, this egg has united people.”

Mr Anning has not apologised for his comments about the massacre, despite a public backlash which saw 1.4 million people sign a petition demanding his resignation.

He was officially condemned by the Senate for seeking to “attribute blame to victims of a horrific crime and to vilify people on the basis of religion”.

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