- Protest at Royal Artillery Memorial
- Police Authority Under Review
- Government Considers Additional Measures
As the government deliberates on whether the police require additional authority to prevent demonstrators from ascending war memorials.
On Wednesday night, a faction of pro-Palestinian protesters scaled the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park Corner, London.
Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, described their conduct as “inflammatory” but lawful.
No. 10 stated that it was an “affront” and that it would consider additional measures to enable officers to intervene in the future.
“We will examine what additional steps are necessary to instill confidence in the police to take action in this matter,” an official spokesman for the prime minister said on Thursday.
Public Reaction and Policymaker Statements
We think they’re powerful, but I’m sure the public was shocked by what they saw.
In front of Parliament on Wednesday night, protesters demanded an end to Israel-Gaza hostilities.
A group of pro-Palestinian protesters was captured on camera ascending the Hyde Park Corner monument, erected in remembrance of the tens of thousands of Royal Artillery soldiers slain during World War I.
The Metropolitan Police stated in a statement that although officers arrived promptly, they were “not quick enough to prevent the protesters from entering the memorial.”
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Sir Mark, Metropolitan Police chief, called the behaviour “unfortunate” and “in some ways provocative,” but not unlawful.
He stated on Thursday at an Institute for Government event that the government should consider whether officers should be granted additional authority to suppress demonstrations.
Government Officials’ Views and Investigation
When queried about the police reaction to the incident, he stated: “Last night, the officer refrained from enacting a law prohibiting an action or making an arrest, both of which would have been manifestly unlawful.
As usual, officers interfered to deescalate conflict without explicit permission.
Sir Mark declined to comment on a Times article authored by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, wherein she levied allegations that law enforcement officials “favoured certain individuals” during demonstrations.
In her post, Mrs. Braverman accused the Metropolitan Police of “double standard” in handling recent pro-Palestinian protests.
According to her, the stern response given to aggressive right-wing protestors was “appropriate,” whereas “pro-Palestinian mobs” were “largely disregarded.”
Government’s Review and Policymaker’s Statement
In the wake of Wednesday’s protest, James Cleverly, who succeeded Mrs. Braverman as home secretary, stated that he would investigate whether the police required additional authority.
“These actions, as stated by the police, are extremely disrespectful,” he stated on Thursday’s episode of ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
“War memorials honour the individuals who have given their lives in defence of our nation’s liberty. Therefore, such abhorrent and desolate conduct is extremely, extremely offensive.”
I will determine what additional steps must be taken to enable law enforcement to intervene.
Further measures aimed at bolstering police authority to deal with demonstrators are reportedly under consideration by the government. One such measure is a reduction in the standard at which police may request a prohibition to impede ongoing marches.
Protests in London and throughout the United Kingdom have been organised in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel began airstrikes on Gaza after Hamas attacked on October 7, taking over 200 hostages and killing 1,200.
Since then, according to the health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas, over 11,500 people have been killed in Gaza.
Suella Braverman’s protest-police piece gets rejected by No 10.
