By David Young-
The individuals sought by police in connection with an alleged assault and racist abuse at Bond Street Tube station have been identified online and in news reports as US political consultant Melissa Rein Lively and financier Philip Ostermann. They are a couple who support Donald Trump. The well-dressed couple sought by police over an altercation in central London have been named as a financier and the Trump-supporting founder of the world’s first anti-woke PR firm.
British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating an incident that occurred at Bond Street Underground station in central London around 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 11. It is reported that a 34-year-old woman was racially abused and physically assaulted, including having her hair grabbed, while with her sister and two young children. The male suspect is alleged to have claimed a small bottle contained pepper spray and sprayed it towards the victim and her family after the female suspect reportedly collided with a pushchair.
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BTP released CCTV images of a man and woman they wished to speak to in connection with the incident. The individuals have been identified in reports as:
Melissa Rein Lively: A 40-year-old political consultant known for supporting Donald Trump. She previously gained attention for a video in 2020 where she destroyed face masks. An Instagram photo she posted wearing a similar outfit to the woman in the police images has since been deleted.
An associate director at Aequita, a private equity firm based in Munich, his professional profile was removed shortly after he was named in reports.
As of November 11, 2025, no arrests have been publicly confirmed, and the police appeal for information remains active.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111, referencing incident 413 of 12 October.
Mr Ostermann is associate director of a Munich-based private equity firm called Aequita, with offices in Tokyo and South Carolina. His work profile was taken down on Tuesday morning.
Ms Rein Lively, 40, is a political consultant who fought for the job of White House spokesperson for Donald Trump’s second term before the US President plumped for Karoline Leavitt last year.
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She has spoken publicly of showing her support for Trump.
In 2020, Ms Rein Lively made headlines by filming herself trashing face masks in a shop during the pandemic.
Last month Melissa posted a picture on Instagram of herself outside Sotheby’s auction house on Bond Street, wearing the same outfit as the woman in the BTP photo.
It is captioned: “With love from London.” She has since deleted her account.
Mr Ostermann had been listed to speak at a private equity conference at the Syon Park stately home near Heathrow on October 14.
BTP said a woman was sprayed with suspected pepper spray, subjected to racial abuse and assaulted during family day out.
The couple were walking together in front of them when the female collided with the buggy.
A spokesman added: “The man then began shouting racial abuse at the victim and her family, before the woman grabbed her hair.
“When the victim tried to defend herself the man pulled out a small bottle and said it was pepper spray before spraying it in the direction of the victim and her family.
“The woman shouted abuse and made lewd gestures at them before both parties left the area.”
Detectives released an image of two people they wanted to speak to following the incident at around 7.30pm.
BTP officers believe the man and woman could have information that may assist their enquiries.
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