The constable who interrupted The Beatles’ last concert has no regrets: “I Had A Job To Do”

Over the weekend, a new documentary about The Beatles, directed by Peter Jackson and following the making of the band’s last album “Let It Be”, was released on Disney Plus.

The band’s last concert was a performance on the roof of their headquarters on Savile Row. However, the iconic ‘rooftop concert’ was brought to an end by the arrival of the police because, as expected, The Beatles caused quite a bit of disruption with their unannounced concert.

Now, the Daily Mail has interviewed Ray Shayler, the officer who interrupted the concert. The 77-year-old Shayler, 25 at the time, says he has no regrets about his decision.

“I wouldn’t say I was a fan – I didn’t like The Beatles much when they went a bit Hare Krishna. But we had a few Beatles records and LPs at home; I liked their music. But when I got on the roof, I had a job to do and I thought, ‘Well, we’ve got to try and stop this”, Shayler recalls.

Shayler also recalls how, after the interruption, George Harrison and John Lennon didn’t talk to him much because both had recently been caught with cannabis. Paul McCartney, on the other hand, apologised for the interruption, while Ringo jokingly asked not to be handcuffed.

Shayler, now retired, says he didn’t think the incident was very significant and so didn’t write a report.

“Actually, someone asked me how I felt being the man who stopped The Beatles’ concert. But I wouldn’t say that was true. I didn’t stop The Beatles – I merely suggested it would be a good idea if they didn’t carry on.”