Suella Braverman breaks silence after Armistice Day protest chaos
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Met Police arrested over 100 people yesterday
Suella Braverman has broken her silence after Armistice Day protests threw the capital into chaos.
Writing on social media, Braverman thanked Met Police despite having just days prior accused them of "playing favourites"
She said: "Our brave police officers deserve the thanks of every decent citizen for their professionalism in the face of violence and aggression from protesters and counter protesters in London yesterday. That multiple officers were injured doing their duty is an outrage."
"The sick, inflammatory and, in some cases, clearly criminal chants, placards and paraphernalia openly on display at the march mark a new low. Antisemitism and other forms of racism together with the valorising of terrorism on such a scale is deeply troubling."
"This can’t go on. Week by week, the streets of London are being polluted by hate, violence, and antisemitism. Members of the public are being mobbed and intimidated. Jewish people in particular feel threatened. Further action is necessary."
It comes as Met Police attempted to shift blame for the chaotic scenes which erupted on Armistice Day on “intense debate” ahead of the protests and counter protests.
According to Scotland Yard, community tensions surged ahead of yesterday’s events which saw over 100 people arrested.
Further pressure has mounted on Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she was accused of “whipping up division” and herself accused the police of boas for letting the rally proceed.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist branded the counter protest behaviour towards police as “extreme violence” and said yesterday’s events were “deeply concerning”.
Nine officers were injured yesterday as they tried to prevent protesters from reaching the Cenotaph.
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5.23pm update: Michael Gove praises officers after being mobbed by protesters
Michael Gove has thanked Met Police after he was mobbed by pro-Palestinian protesters.
The MP was reportedly cornered by the demonstrators at Victoria station following a day of chaos on Armistice Day.
Social media footage shows the moment Gove was escorted by police through the station as dozens of demonstrators attempted to mob him.
In a post on social media, the Levelling Up Secretary said: “I’m very grateful for so many kind messages in the last 24 hours. I’d like to thank the police for their exemplary work getting me home safely yesterday.”
4.31pm update: BBC row EXPLODES - Tories demand investigation into Laura Kuenssberg over Suella Braverman comments
The BBC has been accused of breaching impartiality rules after Laura Kuenssberg appeared to call for Suella Braverman to be sacked live on air.
During a BBC1 interview with Grant Shapps in which she directly asked whether Braverman should be sacked, Kuenssberg said: “We will see what the next couple of days bring, because I think words do matter, and it does matter very much who sits around the Cabinet table.”
One interpretation of her words is that Braverman’s Op-Ed in which she laid into the Met Police, was a sackable offence and that her days as Home Secretary are numbered.
4.07pm update: Met Police confirm seven people charged after Armistice Day unrest
Seven people have been charged as investigations continue into disorder in central London, Met Police have confirmed.
Investigations continue into a number of other incidents.
Officers made 145 arrests during the Pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter protest for offences including assault, possession of weapons, criminal damage, public order, inciting racial hatred and possession of drugs.
2.36pm update: Police issue appeal after racial incident
British Transport Police have issued an appeal to find four individuals after a racially aggravated altercation at Waterloo Station on Armistice Day.
In a statement, police said: “Officers are looking to speak to the individuals in the images who they believe may have information that could help their investigation.
“Anyone who may be able to help us identify them is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference number 217 of 12/11/2023.
“You can submit information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Do you recognise any of these individuals?
— British Transport Police (@BTP) November 12, 2023
Officers are releasing this series of images following a racially aggravated altercation at Waterloo Station yesterday, 11 November. pic.twitter.com/jZy60XU7iF
13.35pm update: Labour attacks Sunak over failure to thank police after day of ‘extreme’ violence
Rishi Sunak has been attacked by Labour after he failed to thank Met Police following the protests yesterday.
Despite condemning the violence, Sunak stopped short of expressing gratitude.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she was “shocked” by the omission and it was “really important” that the PM thanked officers.
11.44am update: Rishi Sunak condemns 'violent, wholly unacceptable' scenes at Armistice Day
Rishi Sunak has condemned the “violent, wholly unacceptable” scenes that erupted at Armistice Day today.
Fighting erupted on the streets of London today as hundreds of screaming Britons were heard chanting “England 'til I die” in a counter protest to the pro-Palestinian march.
Footage on social media shows the moment police were forced to use batons to hit back protesters as they breached police lines.
In a statement, Rishi Sunak said: “The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.”
11.08am update: King Charles and Prince William lay wreaths
The King and Prince William have laid their wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Following King and the heir to the throne, Princess Anne and Prince Edward also laid wreaths.
Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer also laid wreaths shortly afterwards.
10.55am update: King Charles and ministers arrive for Remembrance Sunday service at Cenotaph
King Charles and senior Government ministers are arriving at the Cenotaph at Whitehall for the Remembrance Sunday event.
The King will lead the service after protests erupted across London yesterday.
10.03am update: Two-thirds of young people don’t know what Remembrance Day commemorates, poll finds
According to a new poll, only one in three young people knows what Remembrance Day commemorates.
Over 1,000 British adults aged 16-75 were polled on which war was commemorated on Remembrance Day.
The Ipsos survey found that only 33 per cent of millennials and Gen Z, born between 1981-1996, and 1997-2012, respectively, know which event is remembered on Nov 11.
Historian and Tory peer Lord Roberts said the poll was a “damning indictment of history teaching in our schools”.
9.27am update: Churchill branded 'persona non-grata' as 'cultural rot' envelops US amid row over removing his bust from Oval Office
Winston Churchill has been effectively branded “persona non-grata” by the Democratic Party after his bust was removed from the Oval Office by the Biden administration, Trump’s former Secretary of Veterans Affairs has said.
Speaking to GB News ahead of Veterans Day, Robert Wilkie who served in the Trump cabinet and as Assistant Secretary of Defense under the George W Bush administration, said the bust’s removal from the Oval Office under Biden’s watch indicates a “frightening indication of where we are as a people”.
“The notion that he is persona non grata with one strata of one of the two national political parties in this country is a frightening indication of where we are as a people.”
Churchill branded 'persona non-grata' as 'cultural rot' envelops US amid row over removing his bust from Oval Office
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8.48am update: Starmer calls for Suella Braver man to resign after ‘whipping up division’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called on the Prime Minister to sack the Home Secretary as he accused her of “whipping up division”.
In a comment for the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Keir wrote: “The Home Secretary and the Prime Minister’s treatment of the police and protestors alike this week - coming just a few days after she shamefully described homelessness as ‘a lifestyle choice’ - betray a total lack of respect for this country’s values and its principles.
“Few people in public life have done more recently to whip up division, set the British people against one another and sow the seeds of hatred and distrust than Suella Braverman.
“In doing so, she demeans her office.”
Starmer said: 'Few people in public life have done more recently to whip up division, set the British people against one another and sow the seeds of hatred and distrust than Suella Braverman'
PA8.30am update: Good Morning
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