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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Steph Brawn

Suella Braverman says 'further action needed' after pro-Palestine march

SUELLA Braveman has insisted "further action is necessary" following a pro-Palestine march in London on Armistice Day.

The Home Secretary has been blamed for emboldening far-right activists who attacked the Metropolitan Police on Saturday after she wrote a column accusing the force of "playing favourites" with protesters and having "double standards". 

Dozens of counter-protesters were arrested, including many trying to confront those participating in the pro-Palestine march which Sunak and Braverman had urged police to ban.

Rishi Sunak is coming under severe pressure from all sides to sack her, given her piece was also not signed off by Number 10. 

But the reaction to her explosive column does not seem to have quietened the Home Secretary. 

In her first public statement since the scenes of far-right violence in London, Braverman said on Twitter/X the "criminal chants" at the pro-Palestine march marked "a new low" and called for further acton to be taken against demonstrators.

She said: "Our brave police officers deserve the thanks of every decent citizen for their professionalism in the face of violence and aggression from protesters and counter protesters in London yesterday. That multiple officers were injured doing their duty is an outrage.

"The sick, inflammatory and, in some cases, clearly criminal chants, placards and paraphernalia openly on display at the march mark a new low. Antisemitism and other forms of racism together with the valorising of terrorism on such a scale is deeply troubling.

"This can’t go on. Week by week, the streets of London are being polluted by hate, violence, and antisemitism. Members of the public are being mobbed and intimidated. Jewish people in particular feel threatened. Further action is necessary."

An official UK Government review is arguing for a change in the law so that police can ban pro-Palestinian marches.

The UK Government’s independent adviser on political violence and disruption, John Woodcock - known as Lord Walney - told The Telegraph  that he was recommending the change because of the impact of recent marches on the Jewish community.

The peer - who was nominated by Boris Johnson in 2021 to lead a review- said there had been an “explosion” in anti-semitic incidents linked to the marches and that he would be “looking at the threshold for the police to ban [them]”.

The Public Order Act makes it possible for the police to ban a procession if there is a risk of serious public disorder, but Woodcock believes it doesn’t consider the wider impact on vulnerable groups.

First Minister Humza Yousaf has called for Braverman to be sacked and not allowed to resign.

Speaking to journalists as he arrived at Remembrance Day commemorations in Edinburgh, the First Minister accused the Home Secretary of “fanning the flames of division”.

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s leader in Westminster, said the police should be able to operate “free from the influence of politicians”.

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