Met Police dealing with questions from MPs over remedy of coronation protesters

The Metropolitan Police is dealing with rising questions from MPs over officers’ remedy of protesters throughout the coronation in London on Saturday.

More than 50 anti-monarchy demonstrators have been arrested throughout yesterday’s occasions – together with 13 individuals to “prevent a breach of the peace”, and a person with an unused megaphone, who police stated may “scare the horses”.

There have been studies volunteers who have been handing out rape alarms to maintain ladies protected within the early hours of Saturday morning have been additionally taken into custody.

Politics dwell: Labour ‘not entertaining prospect’ of Lib Dem coalition

Met Police commander Karen Findlay defended the drive’s motion throughout the coronation, saying they policed “proportionately” and throughout the “context” of the big scale occasion.

But the chief of marketing campaign group Republic, Graham Smith – who was arrested throughout the protest – tweeted: “Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK.”

Liberal Democrats deputy chief Daisy Cooper advised Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday she had “concerns” police didn’t get the steadiness proper when it got here to making sure the occasion went forward safely whereas permitting peaceable protest.

“Whether you are royalist or whether you are republican, we should all be able to agree on free speech and the right to protest,” she added.

‘Tory laws might be responsible’

Ms Cooper stated new legal guidelines introduced in by the Conservative authorities days forward of the coronation, which give police extra energy to deal with disruptive protests, might be responsible.

The laws carries as much as a 12 months in jail for demonstrators blocking roads, airports and railways, and lets officers cease and search anybody they believe is planning to trigger disruption.

The Lib Dem MP stated the “far ranging, sweeping powers” would have “a real kind of chilling effect on the right to peaceful protest”.

While it was not but clear if the measures have been utilized by police on Saturday, it wanted to be investigated, she added.

Met urged to supply ‘accountability’

Labour’s Wes Streeting additionally known as for the drive to supply “accountability” over the issues which were raised about its coronation operation.

The shadow well being secretary advised Sophy Ridge: “I think it’s the accountability that’s important.

“Where issues have been raised, whether or not that is by Republic, the marketing campaign for an elected head of state, or individuals extra usually simply involved about they’ve learn within the papers or seen on the telly, it is necessary that the police present that accountability.”

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer stated police needed to “balance the right to protest, which is important in a democracy” with the appropriate of different individuals “to enjoy what was a fabulous day”.

“Overall, they managed to get that balance right,” she added.

The minister additionally defended the brand new legal guidelines, saying she had “huge confidence” within the police and trusted them to make use of the brand new powers.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Her Tory colleague, deputy celebration chairman and MP Lee Anderson, went additional, nonetheless.

In a tweet on Saturday, he attacked protesters going to the coronation, saying: “Not My King? If you do not wish to live in a country that has a monarchy the solution is not to turn up with your silly boards. The solution is to emigrate.”

Senior Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant later tweeted: “Freedom of speech is the silver thread that runs through a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.”

‘Direct assault on democracy’

Met commander Findlay stated the drive “absolutely understands public concern following the arrests”.

But she stated it was their “duty” to police protests “in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation”.

The senior officer additionally stated context was necessary, including: “The coronation is a once in a generation event and that is a key consideration in our assessment.”

And she insisted a protest “involving large numbers” went forward “with police knowledge and no intervention”.

Campaign group Republic noticed issues otherwise, nonetheless, releasing an announcement on Sunday to say plenty of their crew have been arrested “as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest”, and so they have been “detained for the rest of the day”.

Mr Smith, who leads the group, added: “These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.

“The proper to protest peacefully within the UK now not exists. Instead we now have a freedom to protest that’s contingent on political choices made by ministers and senior cops.”

Click to subscribe to the Sophy Ridge on Sunday podcast