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Justice secretary calls for pro-Palestine protesters to call off Armistice Day march
Rishi Sunak has said he will hold the Metropolitan Police Commissioner “accountable” for his decision to greenlight a “disrespectful” pro-Palestinian demonstration to take place on Armistice Day.
Sir Mark Howley resisted pressure heaped on the force including from the prime minister to try to block the protest in London on Saturday as he said: “The laws created by Parliament are clear. There is no absolute power to ban protest.”
He added that organisers of Saturday’s march had shown “complete willingness to stay away from the Cenotaph and Whitehall and have no intention of disrupting the nation’s remembrance events”.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a school in Lincolnshire, Mr Sunak said he thinks the marches are “disrespectful” and would discuss the Met Police Commissioner’s decision with him today.
“He has said that he can ensure that we safeguard remembrance for the country this weekend as well as keep the public safe,” the PM said of Sir Mark.
“Now, my job is to hold him accountable for that.”
Rishi Sunak to hold Met Police Commissioner ‘accountable’ for giving Saturday protest greenlight
Rishi Sunak has said he will hold the Metropolitan Police Commissioner “accountable” for his decision to greenlight a “disrespectful” pro-Palestinian demonstration to take place on Armistice Day.
The Prime Minister will meet Sir Mark Rowley to discuss the issue later on Wednesday.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to a school in Lincolnshire, the Prime Minister said: “This is a decision that the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has made.
“He has said that he can ensure that we safeguard remembrance for the country this weekend as well as keep the public safe.
“Now, my job is to hold him accountable for that.
“We’ve asked the police for information on how they will ensure that this happens. I’ll be meeting the Metropolitan Police Commissioner later today to discuss this.
“More broadly, my view is that these marches are disrespectful and that’s what I’ll be discussing with the Police Commissioner later today.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain8 November 2023 10:55
Rochdale Cenotaph vandalised with ‘Free Palestine’ graffiti and poppy wreaths damaged
Police officers are guarding Rochdale Cenotaph after two incidents at the war memorial, which saw graffiti sprayed and a number of poppy wreaths damaged.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have stationed police community support officers by the cenotaph, which the force said is “currently a crime scene”.
An incident on Monday led to two teenagers, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, being charged with intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain8 November 2023 10:35
Suella Braverman accused of ‘trying to get fired’ with ‘dangerous’ Palestine protest remarks
Home secretary Suella Braverman has been accused of “looking to get fired” by Rishi Sunak in order to launch her bid to become the next leader of the Tory party.
Senior Tory peer Baroness Warsi accused Ms Braverman of being “dangerous and divisive” for her comments on pro-Palestine rallies which “embolden the far right”.
And Colin Bloom, the government’s former adviser on faith engagement, said the home secretary – who has described the protests as “hate marches” – was “goading No 10” to sack her.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain8 November 2023 10:24
Imran Hussain: Labour frontbencher resigns over Keir Starmer’s stance on Gaza
Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East, said he was quitting his role as shadow minister for the new deal for working people to be able to “strongly advocate” for a ceasefire.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain8 November 2023 10:23
Met says pro-Palestine Armistice Day demo to go ahead as ‘law gives no absolute power’ for ban
A pro-Palestinian demonstration is set to go ahead on Armistice Day after the head of the Metropolitan Police said there is “no absolute power” to ban protest.
In a statement on Tuesday, Sir Mark said intelligence surrounding the potential for serious disorder this weekend does not meet the threshold to apply to prohibit the march.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain8 November 2023 10:20
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