The Met has admitted to making mistakes during the pro-Palestine protests, a report released by Policy Exchange reveals today. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told the think tank that the force “didn’t get everything right,” admitting, “on occasion, we did not move quickly to make arrests — for example, the man chanting for ‘jihad.’” A reminder: policing these protests from October until June still cost the taxpayer £42.9 million…
Unsurprisingly, the report also shows that three-quarters of people polled believe the police should actually do their jobs and step in when roads are blocked, public transport grinds to a halt, or when protestors climb a monument (something eco-activists and pro-Palestinians had a penchant for doing). Twist, however, brushed off any talk of “two-tier” policing, offering the baffling claim that there are actually an “infinite number of tiers of policing” instead. Hardly reassuring…
Rishi Sunak warned the Met he will hold them “accountable” for the decision to give the go ahead of “disrespectful” pro-Palestine marches on Armistice Day, stating that he will summon Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley to a meeting later today over the decision.
Speaking to broadcasters in Lincolnshire, he said:
“[Rowley] 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.”
Rishi reinforced his views that these marches are “disrespectful“, adding he’ll reiterate this to Rowley. Thousands are expected to show up…
Overnight, the Met Office updated their Storm Eunice forecast, issuing their first ever red weather warning for London and the South East. While the South West is already being battered by winds of up to 100mph, London is now on course to be hit by the gale between 10am and 3pm.
Stay safe…
