The pro-Palestinian activist who aggressively pestered comedian Matt Lucas on the London Underground is an attention seeker who had to flee his hometown in ‘disgrace’, former friends have claimed.
Thomas Abdullah Bourne, 39, an Islamic convert who uses the social media handle ‘White British Muslim’, followed the Jewish comedian, 51, as he rode the elevator on the Tube last week.
The clip showed the 6’11”, fundraising consultant from East London shouting, ‘Free Palestine‘ at the Little Britain star before appearing to goad Mr Lucas, asking, ‘You don’t like what I’m wearing, do you?’ – referring to his keffiyeh.
He then goes on to ask the comic, ‘You’ve got a problem with Palestinians, Matt?’ to which ambushed Mr Lucas responds a simple, ‘No’.
The Daily Mail can now reveal that Mr Bourne was born Thomas Edward Oliver Heather and chose his new surname as a tribute to the fictional spy and assassin Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon in the film franchise.
The wannabe action hero, according to those who know him, is described as a ‘clown’ who ‘leaves a trail of destruction and chaos’.
The activist, who has been recorded having several aggressive run-ins with other members of the public online, is also said to have had a bitter break up with his former partner.
An estranged family member told the Daily Mail: ‘It does not surprise me that he has done something stupid. If I ever see him again, it will be too soon.’
Thomas Abdullah Bourne (centre), 39, an Islamic convert who uses the social media handle ‘White British Muslim’, followed the Jewish comedian, 51, as he rode the elevator on the Tube last week
The clip (pictured) showed the 6’11”, fundraising consultant from East London shouting, ‘Free Palestine’ at the Little Britain star before appearing to goad Mr Lucas, asking, ‘You don’t like what I’m wearing, do you?’ – referring to his keffiyeh
The relative said Mr Bourne, who has become a well-known face amongst various protest groups and is often pictured at rallies, including one time with Jeremy Corbyn, left his hometown more than a decade ago.
The family member, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘He got off the train in London about 13 years ago and basically converted to Islam in the back of a taxi…
‘He leaves a trail of destruction and chaos wherever he goes.’
After the clip of Mr Bourne accosting Mr Lucas went viral, he quickly deleted his Instagram account. However, dozens of images of Mr Bourne at various rallies remain online.
Mr Bourne said he set up his Instagram account – White British Muslim – to raise awareness for Palestine but also to highlight the Islamophobia he has received as a white convert.
He told the Women of Resistance: ‘So on the subject of the White British Muslim, originally when I set up my social media, the whole point of it was to speak and talk about obviously what was happening in Palestine and stuff like that with the knowledge I had of it.
‘I wanted to break down barriers, I’ve experienced a lot of Islamophobia in my life since I took my Shadah back in 2015, and I wanted to try and be positive and have a platform to break down these misconceptions about Muslims and Islam and these negative stereotypes.’
In the photograph with former Labour leader Mr Corbyn, Mr Bourne is seen wearing a keffiyeh – the traditional, black-and-white chequered cotton scarf that has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity for many Western activists.
He is also wearing a fake press hat in the photograph.
Last month, he was seen outside the Royal Courts of Justice with a sign that read: ‘UK Government kneecapping justice with fabricated charges.’
The unimpressed family member added: ‘He is a complete fantasist. His name is not Bourne, it is Heather.
‘He used to call himself “Abdullah Bourne” because he wanted people to think he was like the film character Jason Bourne, who was played by Matt Damon.
‘He’s a Walter Mitty character and is best described as the “class clown”. He is an attention seeker, and I bet he did this stunt so he could say “look at me”.’
Another estranged relative added: ‘He is freakishly tall – he’s 6-foot-11 [inches] – that is what you first notice about him. He was known around town as “the tall man”.
‘But he has a lot of issues as well. A very chaotic lifestyle. He is a complete train wreck.’
The Daily Mail can now reveal that Mr Bourne was born Thomas Edward Oliver Heather and chose his new surname as a tribute to the fictional spy and assassin Jason Bourne, played by Matt Damon in the film franchise. Pictured: Mr Bourne, right, wearing a fake press hat, at a rally with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, left
An estranged family member said Mr Bourne (pictured, wearing a hat bearing the Palestinian flag), who has become a well-known face amongst various protest groups, left his hometown more than a decade ago
The relative, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: ‘He got off the train in London about 13 years ago and basically converted to Islam in the back of a taxi’. Pictured: Mr Bourne, right, with punk rap duo Bob Vylan’s frontman, Bob Vylan, who became infamous for his ‘death to the IDF’ chants at Glastonbury last year
In the footage of him ambushing Mr Lucas, Mr Bourne asks the comic (pictured, in the clip), ‘You’ve got a problem with Palestinians, Matt?’ to which ambushed Mr Lucas responds a simple, ‘No’
After the clip of Mr Bourne accosting Mr Lucas went viral, he quickly deleted his Instagram account. Pictured: The caption of Mr Bourne’s original post
Mr Bourne’s alleged ‘destructive behaviour’ was sparked after a tough childhood growing up in Chippenham, where his father abandoned him and his younger brother at a young age.
In the video showing his exchange with the comedian, Mr Lucas is seen wearing a black jacket, red jumper and white cap, riding an escalator in a Tube station.
As he realises he is being filmed, the Little Britain star attempts to block his face with his right hand.
Mr Bourne then shouts, ‘Free Palestine. Free Palestine, Matt Lucas,’ to the celebrity comic.
It is not clear from video footage why Mr Lucas was targeted by the activist, but many online have said it was due to his Jewish heritage.
Mr Lucas was a signatory to the ‘No Hostage Left Behind’ open letter in October 2023, celebrating the release of two American and two Israeli hostages, but has not been a particularly vocal presence on the conflict.
The actor has also thanked then US President Joe Biden for his ‘unshakable moral conviction, leadership, and support for the Jewish people’ in Israel’s fight against Hamas.
Mr Lucas has not commented about the incident, but he has been praised on social media for his calmness in the face of Mr Bourne’s aggression.
The comic was raised in a Reform Jewish household, although his parents came from Orthodox Jewish backgrounds. However, he has described himself as an ‘atheist’ and ‘fairly secular Jew’ in the past.
Several members of the comedian’s mother’s family fled Nazi Germany just before the Second World War.
When Mr Lucas appeared on the BBC’s genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? he stunned to learn a relative of his featured in Anne Frank’s diary.
The comic, who made his name as George Dawes on the surreal Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer vehicle Shooting Stars, travelled to Amsterdam to learn more about his German-born Jewish family.
