Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg has criticised Sir Mark Rowley’s handling of a question on two-tier policing, describing it as “unprofessional” and said he “must be held to account” over accusations of police bias.
He said on GB News: “The allegations of two-tier Kier have begun, but is it true? Well, Keir Starmer's first speech following the initial Southport riots last week was bold and robust.
“The Prime Minister was right to take this approach. The hooligans and yahoos we have seen causing havoc on our streets deserve to face the full force of the law.
“However, how did Sir Keir respond during a similar round of riots just a few years ago? Oh, that's right, he took the knee to the Black Lives Matter mob, as did the now Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. It wasn't just senior Labour politicians, either….
“This question of two-tier policing is clearly sensitive. Being doorstepped is an experience I had quite a number of times as a minister, going in and out of the cabinet office, and I never lost my temper.
“Indeed, it's unprofessional of [Sir Mark] Rowley to have done so and made worse by a dishonest statement by the police's press office, though I'm glad he has subsequently apologised.
“Obviously the commissioner is busy, but civilian policing is about self-control. If senior officers give way to their emotional urges and allow the red mist to descend, how can a constable be expected to retain his sang-froid when dealing with a yob?
“Rowley, as with other public figures, must be held to account and explain why there is not two-tier policing.
“Why, for instance, did the police stand by when Colston’s statue was pulled down in Bristol, an event that was followed two days later by Sir Keir taking the knee, giving the strong impression that he was in favour of that type of disorder.
“Why were the Sarah Everard protests aggressively policed when the Black Lives Matter ones were handled with kid gloves?
“Why is shouting at Muslims dealt with effectively when shouting similar abuse of Jewish people has been ignored?
“The police stood by as Colston’s statue was torn down and boasted of a successful approach to policing. On that day, the rioters won.
“So, although there may be no intentional double standard, it is the impression that counts.
“Equally, why does the Metropolitan Police now appear to take orders from Number 10 with Sir Keir as the incumbent?
“When Suella Braverman was Home Secretary, it made it clear that she could not give orders as the police are rightly independent of political control.
“Rioting is always wrong, and justice must always be done. Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
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