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 EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing anti-semitic 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.
Demonstrations spotlight:
Image via the BBC
Image via the New York Times
The Metropolitan Police have asked for help in identifying the two people holding these placards, both of which have been described as hate crimes.
Image - Sky News
AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth