UK PM Sunak says Met police will be held 'accountable' for allowing pro-Palestine London protest

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Wednesday he would hold London's Metropolitan Police commissioner "accountable" for his decision to allow a pro-Palestine protest in the capital on Saturday.

Police were pressured by the government to ban the rally against Israel's war on Gaza scheduled to take place in central London on Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War in 1918. 

Sunak had written to the Met Police Commissioner earlier saying that the anti-war protest on this occasion was "provocative and disrespectful", although the protest organisers have said they would avoid the area where commemorations were taking place.

"He [Rowley] has said that he can ensure that we safeguard remembrance for the country this weekend as well as keep the public safe," the PM said of Sir Mark," said Sunak, according to i newspaper.

"Now, my job is to hold him accountable for that."

🗨️ Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: "The events taking place this weekend are of great significance and importance to our nation.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure they pass without disruption."

Read our full response ⬇️https://t.co/OYiLbfFp5N pic.twitter.com/Ezt5Cc5Ezf

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 8, 2023

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged in a statement the national significance of the Armistice Day commemorations and pledged that the day will pass without disruption.

The police also acknowledged that the legal requirements for banning the Palestine march have not been met, despite political pressure to prevent it from taking place.

"The events taking place this weekend are of great significance and importance to our nation," Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said in a statement.

"I completely recognise the significant public and political concern about the impact of ongoing protest and demonstrations on this moment of national reflection. Therefore I am determined we will do everything in our power to ensure they pass without disruption."

Met police had urged organisers to postpone the demonstration warning of possible counter-protests by far-right groups and football hooligans that could lead to disorder over the weekend.

Protests against Israel's bombardment of Gaza, which has killed over 10,500 Palestinians, have taken place weekly in central London since the assault began on 7 October.

One of the organisers, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), refused calls to cancel Saturday's march, but promised to respect the Armistice Day commemorations taking place in central London at the same time.

They hope to bring one million people to the streets and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman sparked controversy this week after describing the peaceful pro-Palestine protesters as "hate marchers".

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf was among those to slam Braverman's comment about the march, describing it as "disgraceful" and "unacceptable".