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A pro-Palestinian protest on Armistice Day will go ahead, the head of the Metropolitan Police has said.

Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said “people should be very reassured that we’re going to keep this away from the remembrance and armistice events”.

He said that legally there is “no mechanism to ban a gathering, a static protest” – but that “if there’s a march towards the rally… that march in extremis can be banned.

“If over the next few days the intelligence evolves further and we get to such a high threshold – it’s only been done once in a decade – where we need to say to the home secretary we need to ban the march element, then of course we will do.

“But that’s a last resort we haven’t reached,” he added.

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Can you ban a protest – and will march go ahead?

The prime minister and the home secretary believe any protest should be stopped amid fears some people could cause trouble and deface memorials such as the Cenotaph.

The Met commissioner said the force was working with organisers as they finalise their plans and is looking at what “extra conditions” might be needed.

Rishi Sunak has said the “provocative and disrespectful” march on Saturday – when many pause at 11am to remember people who died in wars – shouldn’t be allowed.

He wrote to Sir Mark and said there was “a clear and present risk” that memorials such as the Cenotaph “could be desecrated”.

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Braverman criticises protests

Home Secretary Suella Braverman called it “entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London”.

She told Sky News anyone trying to vandalise the Cenotaph “must be put into a jail cell faster than their feet can touch the ground”.

Organisers have said the protest will be “well away” from the monument, instead going from Hyde Park to the US embassy, and that it won’t start until after the 11am silence.

The last time a march was banned was an English Defence League event in 2011.

Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley
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Sir Mark refused to comment on the home secretary’s language

Police can ask the home secretary to approve a ban under the Public Order Act if they believe there will be serious public disorder, serious criminal damage, or serious disruption to the community.

The Met chief admitted concern about “splinter groups” and “troublemakers” but said arrests at previous protests were small considering the tens of thousands attending.

He refused to comment on the home secretary’s view that the events are “hate marches” and said his job was to look at the operational facts and not get involved in debate.

The organiser of the march yesterday insisted it would go ahead despite another senior Met Commander urging them to cancel due to a growing “risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups”.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign said it would continue to work with police to ensure public safety.

Pro-Palestinian protesters in London on Saturday afternoon
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Pro-Palestinian protesters in London on 4 November

Police officers guard the Cenotaph during a pro-Palestinian protest last month
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Police guard the Cenotaph during a demonstration on 28 October

No demonstrations are planned for Remembrance Sunday, when veterans parade past the Cenotaph and politicians and royals lay wreaths.

Tens of thousands have demonstrated in London in recent weeks over Palestinian deaths in the Israel-Hamas war.

The Met said there were 29 arrests during a fourth week of protests last Saturday.

People were detained for offences including assaulting police officers, supporting a terror organisation and inciting racial hatred.

Five people were also arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest at London’s King’s Cross station on Friday.

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UK weather: Bank holiday thunderstorm warnings in force for large parts of UK

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UK weather: Bank holiday thunderstorm warnings in force for large parts of UK

Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for large parts of the country, lasting from lunchtime until Monday night.

The Met Office says thunder and heavy downpours could cause flooding and travel problems.

Southeast England – including Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and south London – could be affected from noon, says the forecaster.

Other areas affected are mid-Wales and most of northern England, stretching up past Glasgow into southwest Scotland.

That warning is in force from 1pm – with both alerts ending at 9pm.

Pic: Met Office
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Pic: Met Office

Pic: Met Office
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Pic: Met Office

“Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures,” says the Met Office, while there is also a small chance that roads and properties could be flooded.

Bank Holiday Monday has brought a grey and cloudy start for many, with forecasts ranging from 12C (53F) in the Hebrides to 18C (64F) in northern England at 1pm.

Get the latest Sky News forecast for where you live

However, it will become warmer, brighter and drier from Tuesday with high pressure forecast for much of the UK – and it should stay that way for next weekend.

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Woman arrested after baby has cardiac arrest at Legoland

Sunak admits Tories may not win general election

London is expected to have 23C (73F) with sunny spells next Saturday and Sunday, according to the Met Office.

Highs of 20C (68F) are forecast in Edinburgh, while Cardiff is set for sunshine and 19C (66F), and Belfast likely to struggle with cloud but still feeling warm with a maximum of 20C.

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Kris Hallenga, founder of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, dies aged 38

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Kris Hallenga, founder of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, dies aged 38

Kris Hallenga, the founder of breast cancer charity CoppaFeel!, has died aged 38.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 23 and lived with the illness for 15 years, tirelessly campaigning for breast cancer awareness in that time.

A statement on the charity’s website said: “She hasn’t lost a battle, she wasn’t in a fight and she certainly wouldn’t want you to see her death as tragic.

“She was simply living. She was 38 and died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.”

Ms Hallenga’s breast cancer was terminal by the time it was diagnosed in 2009.

“Kris’ ambition was for no one else to find themselves in her position and so CoppaFeel! was born, to ensure breast cancers are diagnosed early and accurately,” the charity said.

Describing her as “founder, boob chief, colleague, friend and queen of glittering turds”, CoppaFeel! said she was “the biggest promoter of being ‘alive to do those things'”.

“She approached life in a wildly creative, fun and fearless way, and showed us that it is possible to live life to the full with cancer.”

Last year Ms Hallenga threw a living funeral, where guests were invited to sign a cardboard replica of her coffin and childhood footage was projected around Truro Cathedral in Cornwall.

Dawn French did the eulogy in character as the Vicar of Dibley, while Ms Hallenga gave a speech and sparkled in a glittery jumpsuit.

Afterwards, she posted on Instagram: “I’ve never felt love like it. I’ve never felt joy like it. I’ve never felt such kinship with mortality. I’ve never felt so alive.”

Read more from Sky News:
Women aged 18 to 25 urged to check for breast cancer
Women diagnosed young have higher risk of breast cancer spreading

Ms Hallenga campaigned for cancer education to be included in the school curriculum, won the Women of the Year Outstanding Young Campaigner award, received an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University and wrote a memoir titled Glittering a Turd.

A post on her Instagram page announcing the news to her 146,000 followers was signed off by her cat Lady Marmalade.

It said: “Her final message from her to you would be one that probably involved checking your chest, getting in some cold water, talking more about death and dying, that even the turdiest of turds are glitterable, that you should always see the silly side of life, that she LOVED her life and that giving Neighbours 2.0 is worth another chance.”

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West Ham agree deal to replace David Moyes at end of season

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West Ham agree deal to replace David Moyes at end of season

West Ham have agreed a deal in principle with Julen Lopetegui to take over from David Moyes as manager at the end of the season, Sky Sports News understands.

Lopetegui, 57, has been out of work since leaving Wolves three days before the start of the season but has stayed in England in the hope of landing another job in the Premier League.

The Spaniard, who has also managed Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla during an illustrious coaching career, looks set to take charge at the London Stadium at the end of the season after Moyes’ expected departure.

File photo dated 29-07-2023 of Julen Lopetegui. Wolves parted company with head coach Julen Lopetegui. Issue date: Thursday November 14, 2023.
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Julen Lopetegui. File pic: PA

West Ham are ninth in the league after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Moyes, 61, who is out of contract in the summer, has faced increased questions about his future as his team have won only one of their previous nine league games.

He said he felt “really sorry” for West Ham fans after watching his side fall to a heavy loss at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “The fans have been great but I feel bad for them.

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“I don’t normally have teams who get beaten like this but we are lacking some ingredients – mental toughness and leadership to get better results, or at least not get hammered.

West Ham United manager David Moyes during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Sunday May 5, 2024.
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West Ham United manager David Moyes during the Premier League defeat at Chelsea. Pic PA

“The fans played their part and I can only say I’m really sorry for how it played out.”

Asked if he was frustrated that the club was regularly being linked with other managers, he said: “I’ll talk to the board at the end of the season. We’ll do that then.”

The Scot, whose second spell as Hammers boss began in 2019, led the club to their Premier League points total of 65 in 2021, finishing in sixth place.

The following year they finished seventh and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.

They went one better last year, winning the Europa Conference League final, the club’s first European trophy since 1965.

In November, Lopetegui told Sky Sports News he had unfinished business in the Premier League.

He said: “It’s why I’ve said no to different countries and different situations because I would like to stay here in England. I feel like our team here is just starting and we want to achieve our dreams.

“The way the country lives football here is special – it’s the best league in the world, the most competitive league in the world, the best environment for the players, coaches and fans too.”

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