THIS is the dramatic moment cops rushed to guard the Cenotaph – after pro-Palestine protesters chanted “ceasefire now” and climbed a war memorial.
Footage shared online showed Met Police officers scrambling to form a ring of steel around the Cenotaph while protesters streamed past.
TwitterMet Police officers guarding the Cenotaph[/caption]
TwitterThey scrambled to protect the war memorial[/caption]
TwitterThe Met Police ‘ring of steel’ around the Cenotaph[/caption]
The demonstrators can be heard shouting “Free Palestine” and “Ceasefire Now”.
Cops issued a dispersal order covering Westminster from 7.50pm this evening until 2am this morning.
A spokesperson said: “We are on scene at a large pro-Palestinian demonstration taking place opposite the Houses of Parliament this evening.
“Traffic continues to flow, there are diversions in place.
“The event is now over and people are leaving the area.
“Despite the protest having finished, a group have come together, walked along Whitehall and are heading towards Oxford Street. We remain with them.
“Inspector Whitehead has authorised a S35 Dispersal Order in the borough of the City of Westminster from 19:50 hours until 02:00 hours.
“This gives officers the powers to disperse anti-social behaviour.
“As of 22.05, the group had dispersed. Officers made one arrest for possession of an offensive weapon.”
It comes after footage showed protesters climbing on the Royal Artillery Memorial on Hyde Park Corner.
Tory MP Johnny Mercer said: “There is only one memorial of fallen soldiers in London.
“This is it. I will not stand idly by whilst individuals think this is the correct way to treat these memorials.”
The Met Police said: “Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable.
“That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days.
“This evening, a breakaway group of pro-Palestinian protesters were dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.
“A number of them climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial.
“While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.
“We know some online have asked why the protesters were not arrested.
“There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest.
“But they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isn’t acceptable.
“The videos shared online show them doing that.”
Tonight eight Labour frontbenchers defied Keir Starmer by backing a Commons vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Shadow ministers Jess Phillips, Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Paula Barker quit after deciding to support an SNP amendment to the King’s Speech backing a ceasefire.
MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the amendment calling for “all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
Labour MPs had been ordered to abstain on the SNP move – and were told instead to back Sir Keir’s position calling for longer “humanitarian pauses” rather than a ceasefire.
A massive ring of steel protected the Cenotaph on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday – with 92 far-right counter-protesters arrested.
TwitterPolice frantically gathered around the Whitehall monument[/caption]
TwitterCops were seen rushing to protect the Cenotaph[/caption]
TwitterProtesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial[/caption]
TwitterOne protester brandishing a placard atop the memorial[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
