Priti Patel urged people not to participate in large gatherings or to attend protests while Covid-19 regulations remain in place.
Making a statement in the Commons, the Home Secretary said: “Over the past year during the coronavirus pandemic, the police have been faced with an unenviable and immediately difficult task. It is one for the most part that they have approached with skill and professionalism, helping to enforce regulations as determined by Parliament with one crucial objective in mind, to save lives.
“This House approved those changes by 524 votes to 16 on January 6 this year. Sadly, as of Sunday March 14, more than 125,500 lives have been lost to this horrible virus.
“It is for that reason that I continue to urge everyone for as long as these regulations are in place not to participate in large gatherings or attend protests.
“The right to protest is the cornerstone of our democracy, but the Government’s duty remains to prevent more lives being lost during this pandemic.”
Ms Patel reiterated that the Government “backs our police”.
She said: “I have already said that some of the footage circulating online of Clapham Common is upsetting.
“So whilst the police are rightfully operationally independent, I asked the Metropolitan Police for a report into what had happened.
“This Government backs our police in fighting crime and keeping the public safe, but in the interest of providing greater assurance and ensuring public confidence, I have asked Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to conduct a full, independent lessons learned review.
“The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has welcomed this and I will await the report and of course update the House in due course.”
Ms Patel added: “My heartache and that of others can be summed up in just five words – she was just walking home.”
