‘Is that the right message?’ Patrick Christys questions activist ‘mob’ over Peckham race protests

Footage has emerged on social media of the scuffle where Sindho can be seen appearing to put his hands around her throat.

His store has subsequently been covered in paper and cardboard signs with phrases such as “black women matter” and “black women deserve better”.

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Scotland Yard said a man aged 45 was interviewed under caution over the incident while a 31-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assault before being released on bail.

GB News’ Patrick Christys has questioned whether the furore directed at the South London shop is justified, asking whether it is the “right message”.

“The whole thing is ridiculous”, he said.

“This is an incident where, as far as we understand, someone has gone into a shop and the guy has apparently said no.

“Is this really worth mobbing up and going outside and then putting quite racist stuff outside of his shop on the shutters?”

Ken Hinds, Chair of the Haringey Independent Stop and Search Monitoring Group, argued that it is “refreshing” to see people taking a stand against the shopkeeper.

“I saw something on social media that disturbed me”, he said on GB News.

“When things of this nature happen, the black community are marginalised at the best of times.

“I know some of the members of this group protesting, they know how to conduct themselves, and it’s quite refreshing that you’ve got people like this who are prepared to take a stand.”

Christys argued that there is a chance that Hinds “might end up looking silly” should further details emerge about the incident that contradict his preconceptions.

“There is a problem with shoplifting with this country", he said

“If this person is at his wits end with people stealing from his shop, and he steps in, can you understand that?”

Hinds snapped back, arguing the shopkeeper should have had qualified security in place.

“We have people who are in security who are trained to deal with this”, he said.

“If he thinks that £24 is worth losing his livelihood for, it would be a lot better for him to have that security.”

Speaking to ITV, shopkeeper Sindho admitted that he regrets the incident, but denied choking the woman involved.

Sindho said: “No, I didn't. It looks like I am choking her. It's not choking. At the moment one hand was at the back, I was like detaining her.”

The clip prompted outrage on social media, with calls for residents to boycott the shop and a protest outside.

The store closed in advance of the planned demonstration with people speaking out against what they see as an “example of everyday male violence against women”.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed officers were called to the shop on Rye Lane at 1.16pm on Monday when it was reported that a 31-year-old woman attempted to steal items and an employee prevented her from leaving.

The woman was also accused of assault, later being arrested on suspicion of assault before being bailed pending further enquiries.

The force called on anyone with any information about the incident to call 101 quoting 3943/11Sep.