Sunak pressures Met to ban Armistice Day pro-Palestine march

It comes after the Met has asked march organisers to “urgently reconsider” the London event that’s set to take place on Saturday due to the growing risk of violence. 

However, coalition organisers of the pro-Palestinian march have refused to call it off.

Under Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, the Met could ban the march but only if there was the threat of “serious public disorder”, which could not be controlled by other measures.

We ask organisers to consider postponing any demonstrations in #London this #ArmisticeWeekend.https://t.co/wvjmAqAVi6 pic.twitter.com/dKo4f7ghiw

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 6, 2023

Pressure builds on the Met to stop pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day

An official spokesperson for the PM’s office has said operational decisions on whether to ban the planned march in London were for the Metropolitan Police.

But the spokesman said the Government would “carefully consider” any application to prevent it.

Sharing: “The Prime Minister himself does not think it’s right for these sorts of protests to be scheduled on Armistice Day.

“He believes that is provocative and disrespectful.”

The groups behind the demonstrations include the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War and the Muslim Association of Britain.

The march is planned to take place this weekend. (Image: PA)

All have shared that they would press ahead with the demonstration calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

However, there are some concerns that breakaway groups from the main march could look for trouble, while counter-demonstrations may also add to policing difficulties.

Far-right activist and English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson shared: “British men are mobilising for Saturday to be in London”.

Adding that they plan to show the “government and show our police and show Hamas and everyone sitting around the world saying ‘Britain has fallen’ that there is a resistance”.

However, Veterans Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer urged former military personnel not to join protests and stressed that the route of the march was not due to go near the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

My statement on the disrespectful protests planned for Armistice Day. pic.twitter.com/bik539rDqn

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 3, 2023

In a letter to Sir Mark, Mr Mercer said he had spent the weekend “dissuading various veterans groups from organising marches or protests this Saturday”.

But he urged police to protect veterans who were marking the Armistice or Remembrance Sunday.

The planned route for the Pro-Palestinian march goes from Hyde Park – about a mile from the Cenotaph – to the US embassy in Vauxhall, south of the Thames.

Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who leads public order policing in the English capital, said on Monday: “The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing.

“This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.

“Our message to organisers is clear: please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend.”

Organisers of the rally shared they are “deeply concerned” by the Met statement and claimed the force could not provide “any evidence” for why the risk of breakaway groups engaging in criminal activity would be any greater.

Adding: “We recognise the political pressure being placed on the police by the Government and right-wing political groups.

“However, we emphasise that they had and have a responsibility to withstand that pressure and act to uphold democratic freedoms.”