Suella Braverman has been accused of being “out of control”, as she continued her confrontation with the Metropolitan Police after the commissioner resisted authorities stress to ban this week’s pro-Palestinian march.
In an article for The Times newspaper, the Home Secretary as soon as once more described pro-Palestinian protesters as “hate marchers”.
And she went even additional, including: “I do not believe that these marches are merely a cry for help for Gaza.
“They are an assertion of primacy by sure teams – notably Islamists – of the sort we’re extra used to seeing in Northern Ireland.
“Also, disturbingly reminiscent of Ulster are the reports that some of Saturday’s march group organisers have links to terrorist groups, including Hamas.”
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This led one former Tory cupboard minister to message Sky’s Beth Rigby, saying: “This is wholly offensive and blind to the place folks in Northern Ireland stand on the problems of Israel and Gaza.
“It would be good to know what she knows about what NI people think about the current Israel-Palestine situation before she casts aspersions.
“It’s clear that the Home Secretary is just taking care of her misguided aspirations for chief than accountable management as a Home Sec.”
In the article Ms Braverman additionally claimed a double commonplace exists inside the Met.
“Right-wing and nationalist protesters who engage in aggression are rightly met with a stern response yet pro-Palestinian mobs displaying almost identical behaviour are largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law?”
Calling for protests to be policed “even-handedly”, the house secretary additionally questioned why protests for Black Lives Matter have been allowed to go forward throughout the COVID pandemic, whereas “lockdown objectors were given no quarter by public order police”.
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In phrases seeming to pile stress onto commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, she concluded: “This weekend the public will expect to see an assertive and proactive approach to any displays of hate, breaches of conditions and general disorder.”
In response to Ms Braverman’s article, Yvette Cooper, the shadow dwelling secretary, described her as “out of control”.
She wrote on X, previously generally known as Twitter: “Her article tonight is a highly irresponsible, dangerous attempt to undermine respect for police at a sensitive time, to rip up operational independence and to inflame community tensions.
“No different dwelling secretary of any occasion would ever do that.”
And London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted: “The Home Sec’s article in The Times is inaccurate, inflammatory & irresponsible.
“At a time when we should be seeking to unite communities – she is dividing them. The Home Sec should support the police to keep everyone safe at this delicate time, not make their job harder.”
And the Liberal Democrats have accused her of “running a Conservative Party leadership campaign, not the Home Office”.
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded {that a} pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day will go forward – however described the protest as “disrespectful”.
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Following a face-to-face assembly with Sir Mark, he stated the chief of the Metropolitan Police could be held accountable for his resolution to greenlight the demonstration.
He stated in a press release: “Saturday’s planned protest is not just disrespectful but offends our heartfelt gratitude to the memory of those who gave so much so that we may live in freedom and peace today.
“But a part of that freedom is the suitable to peacefully protest. And the check of that freedom is whether or not our dedication to it could possibly survive the discomfort and frustration of those that search to make use of it, even when we disagree with them. We will meet that check and stay true to our ideas.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had accused Mr Sunak of “cowardice” for “choosing a combat” with the police.
He tweeted: “Remembrance occasions should be revered. Full cease.
“But the person the PM needs to hold accountable is his home secretary. Picking a fight with the police instead of working with them is cowardice.”
Downing Street denied looking for to place stress on the Met, which is operationally impartial, and insisted the assembly was about “seeking assurances” that their method is “robust”.
Tens of hundreds have demonstrated in London in current weeks over Palestinian deaths within the Israel-Hamas conflict – with 29 arrested throughout a fourth week of protests final Saturday, throughout which fireworks have been thrown.
Organisers of this Saturday’s protest say will probably be “well away” from the Cenotaph – going from Hyde Park, round a mile from the conflict memorial in Whitehall, to the US embassy – and will not begin till after the 11am silence.
Source: information.sky.com”