An MP has called for the military to be drafted in to keep the peace in London after it emerged pro-Palestinian protestors are organizing a “million-strong” march on Remembrance Day. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has announced it plans to continue protests in response to Israel’s Hamas retaliation.
Coaches are now being organized from northern towns like Dewsbury, Batley, and Leicester, with a demand for activists to help “make this the biggest march in history”.
The planned day of the protest, November 11, will clash directly with this year’s Remembrance Day, and come a day before the annual Cenotaph memorial for Remembrance Sunday.
Despite the head of the Met Sir Mark Rowley telling the London Assembly the protestors “will not be allowed near the official events or to disrupt them”, there are serious concerns about how such a large protest can take place while maintaining peace and order.
A Tory MP has now told the Express that the Metropolitan Police and Sadiq Khan must ask for military assistance.
Crawley MP Henry Smith said: “After consecutive weekends of demonstrations where the Cenotaph and other national monuments have been grossly disrespected, it’s completely inappropriate for further protests to be held over Remembrance weekend.
“I don’t have confidence in the Mayor of London or Metropolitan Police under him to properly handle the situation given their past poor record, and call on the Government to consider deploying military assistance.”
Mr Smith added: “The fact that this even needs considering is a sad reflection on the ability so far to appropriately police what have been some appalling scenes.”
Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for Mayor of London, told the Express the planned protest will be “very disruptive to the Remembrance Sunday commemoration”.
She said: “Sadiq Khan needs to get a grip and start taking responsibility for keeping Londoners safe. These protests have already caused a great deal of anxiety, especially amongst the Jewish community, and will likely be very disruptive to the Remembrance Sunday commemoration.
“It is vital that the police have the resources and political backing they need to do their jobs, and when I am Mayor, I will ensure they always do.”
