KING Charles is today leading an emotional Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph – just hours after chaos unfolded by the memorial.
Nearly 300 yobs and protesters were dragged away by police after violence broke out across central London yesterday – and there’s likely to be more arrests.
ReutersKing Charles will today bring the nation together as he leads the Remembrance Day service[/caption]
LNPThe King will be at the Cenotaph, near where chaos erupted yesterday[/caption]
AlamyHundreds of people were arrested amid the protests and counter-protests[/caption]
But the King will today unite the nation as he stands at the foot of the national war memorial.
This morning has so far appeared to be calm after the protests saw violence break out across central London in the morning – and drag out for hours.
Yesterday’s counter-protests had been organised amid fears pro-Palestine marches would interrupt Armistice Day services.
But the groups started clashing with cops – hurling missiles as they rushed through the streets chanting “England till I die” and “Let us through”.
Cops said 126 of the counter-protesters were arrested.
And while the Met Police said the 300,000-strong pro-Palestine march started off with “no incidents”, a group of 150 was stopped after shooting fireworks at cops.
The cops have also launched a probe after Jewish families leaving a north London synagogue were said to have been referred by pro-Palestine activists.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism confirmed it was “aware” of the Jewish families “being targeted on their way out of synagogue”.
The group said it had “received multiple reports of police having to escort congregants away in groups for their own safety”.
Footage circulating online showed a group of men holding green flags, waving Palestine flags and shouting from cars.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said there would likely be more arrests, too.
He told Sky News‘ Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: I’m sure there are far more arrests still to be made from the march that took place yesterday, simply because either the police were distracted here or because they weren’t going to intervene immediately.”
Thousands were impacted when hundreds of thousands of people took to the capital’s streets – including politicians.
Senior Cabinet minister Michael Gove was snapped trying to make his way through Victoria Station while pro-Palestine demonstrators were inside.
Footage showed Gove trying to make his way through with police escorting him.
But a group recognised the politician and could be heard chanting: “Shame on you.”
This morning dozens of people have already started gathering in the Whitehall area, where there is a heavy police presence.
The King will lead today’s events at the national war memorial – which has been under 24/7 police guard.
He and other members of the Royal Family will also lay wreaths at the base of the Cenotaph.
An emotional King Charles unveiled a touching tribute to his late parents last night at the Festival of Remembrance.
Charles, who will be 75 on Tuesday, was joined by the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior royals at the event.
As he unveiled the statue of his mother, he briefly looked up and appeared to shed a tear.
Charles then made his way into the hall with Queen Camilla for the two-hour event, which features hundreds of veterans and serving military personnel.
Yesterday’s chaos also saw calls for Home Secretary Suella Braverman to resign after claims she “emboldened” far-right protesters to attack police.
But Defence Secretary Shapps has pushed back against the suggestions – saying it had “nothing to do with” her inflammatory article.
He said: “It is the case that some people just turned up determined – by the way, nothing to do with what the Home Secretary said in terms of having already said they would be here doing these things – to disrupt things here at the Cenotaph.”
Shapps added: “This counter-protest was already going to happen.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last night slammed the “violent, wholly unacceptable” actions of counter-protesters and “Hamas sympathisers” on the pro-Palestinian march.
The PM said: “I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen today from the EDL and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the National March for Palestine.
“The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.
“Remembrance weekend is a time for us to come together as a nation and remember those who fought and died for our freedoms.
“What we have seen today does not defend the honour of our Armed Forces, but utterly disrespects them.
“That is true for the EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.
“The fear and intimidation the Jewish community have experienced over the weekend is deplorable.
“All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. That is what I told the Met Police Commissioner on Wednesday, that is what they are accountable for and that is what I expect.
“I will be meeting the Met Police Commissioner in the coming days.”
Story Picture AgencyMichael Gove had to be rushed through Victoria Station[/caption]
AFPMet Police doubled its number of officers on the ground in London yesterday[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
