Home Secretary Suella Braverman is facing accusations of causing disorder in London following her controversial comments about the pro-Palestine protests. The remarks have drawn sharp criticism from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Yousaf, in a strongly worded statement, accused Braverman of “emboldening” far-right elements. This accusation comes in the wake of clashes between so-called ‘counter-protesters’ and the police near the Cenotaph in Central London. Yousaf expressed his concerns in a tweet, stating, “The far right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day. The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”
Sadiq Khan echoed these sentiments in his criticism, linking the disorder witnessed at the Cenotaph to Braverman’s statements. He tweeted, “The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the Home Secretary’s words. The police’s job has been made much harder. The Met have my full support to take action against anyone found spreading hate and breaking the law.”
The controversy stems from Braverman’s reaction to the Met Police’s decision to permit a pro-Palestine march on Remembrance Day. When Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley chose not to ban the demonstration, Braverman accused the force of exhibiting ‘bias’. She referred to the pro-Palestine protest, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, as a “hate march.
The right-wing protesters, reportedly chanting “England ’til I die”, managed to breach police lines, aiming to ‘defend the Cenotaph. This action followed a call by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former co-leader of the English Defence League, for his supporters to convene in the capital.
However, the Met Police successfully detained a large group of these ‘counter-protesters. They tweeted, “We are reviewing footage & identifying those involved in earlier disorder within the group detained on Bridge Street. Those identified will be arrested & we will continue to use our powers under S60 & S60AA of the Public Order Act, to search for weapons & remove face coverings.”
The Met also noted that the pro-Palestine protest had not resulted in any incidents thus far, indicating a peaceful demonstration.
This unfolding situation in London has raised significant concerns about political rhetoric’s impact on public order and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining peace during sensitive times.
Yousaf, in a strongly worded statement, accused Braverman of “emboldening” far-right elements. This accusation comes in the wake of clashes between so-called ‘counter-protesters’ and the police near the Cenotaph in Central London. Yousaf expressed his concerns in a tweet, stating, “The far right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day. The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”
Sadiq Khan echoed these sentiments in his criticism, linking the disorder witnessed at the Cenotaph to Braverman’s statements. He tweeted, “The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the Home Secretary’s words. The police’s job has been made much harder. The Met have my full support to take action against anyone found spreading hate and breaking the law.”
The controversy stems from Braverman’s reaction to the Met Police’s decision to permit a pro-Palestine march on Remembrance Day. When Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley chose not to ban the demonstration, Braverman accused the force of exhibiting ‘bias’. She referred to the pro-Palestine protest, which calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, as a “hate march.
The right-wing protesters, reportedly chanting “England ’til I die”, managed to breach police lines, aiming to ‘defend the Cenotaph. This action followed a call by Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, the former co-leader of the English Defence League, for his supporters to convene in the capital.
However, the Met Police successfully detained a large group of these ‘counter-protesters. They tweeted, “We are reviewing footage & identifying those involved in earlier disorder within the group detained on Bridge Street. Those identified will be arrested & we will continue to use our powers under S60 & S60AA of the Public Order Act, to search for weapons & remove face coverings.”
The Met also noted that the pro-Palestine protest had not resulted in any incidents thus far, indicating a peaceful demonstration.
This unfolding situation in London has raised significant concerns about political rhetoric’s impact on public order and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining peace during sensitive times.
