Suella Braverman criticised by watchdog over public condemnation of protest policing
Former home secretary Suella Braverman has been criticised by a watchdog for publicly condemning the Metropolitan Police over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests in the capital.
The Conservative MP wrote a scathing article in the Times last November accusing the force of “double standards for allowing what she deemed a “hate march” to go ahead in London on Armistice Day, claiming right-wing protesters were “rightly met with a stern response”, while pro-Palestinian “mobs” were “largely ignored”.
The Met stood by its decision to let the march go ahead as the legal threshold for a ban had not been met, but the public furore ended in ugly scenes, with a far-right protest at the Cenotaph and a total of 140 arrests from both demonstrations.
Ms Braverman – who was later sacked by Rishi Sunak after she doubled down on her criticism – ordered a report into “activism and impartiality in the police” at the time.
But when it was published on Tuesday, it took aim at her actions, saying her criticism should have been delivered in private.
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Chief inspector of constabulary Andy Cooke, who led the review, set out the scenes around the Armistice Day protests, before concluding: “Forces and politicians alike should pay close attention to the risk of any improper political interference.
“This includes the risk of actual interference or perceived interference, whether that perception is accurate or not. Usually, such an intervention, if deemed appropriate, should be done in private.”
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Crowds of far-right protesters shouted “you let your country down” in a clash with police near the Cenotaph in London on Armistice Day last year
Mr Cooke said there was a “delicate balance to strike” between the operational independence of chief constables and the need of accountability and governance.
But he said senior officers had reported “improper pressure or interference from significant political figures”, and the review found “overt attempts to influence operational policing challenge the police’s impartiality and could reduce public trust”.
The chief inspector called for police chiefs, police and crime commissioners, mayors and senior politicians to “pay close attention to the risk posed by improper political interference, whether actual or perceived”.
The report also pointed to an incident involving Mr Sunak, where he said he was “appalled” by the treatment of a Jewish man by a police officer in a video from a pro-Palestinian protest, only to back the force nine days later after a longer clip came to light with further context.
The report said: “Senior politicians should take great care to make sure they are in possession of the full facts before making public statements that can have a detrimental effect on the public perception of police impartiality.”
A government spokesperson said: “Our police officers face challenges every single day and act without fear or favour to keep our streets safe, and it is vital they are supported.
“The government strongly supports operational independence, which is the bedrock of our policing model. We welcome the report and will work closely with policing to consider the recommendations.”
The Conservative Party and Ms Braverman have been contacted for comment.
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MP Mike Amesbury has pleaded guilty to assault by beating for punching a man in Cheshire.
The Runcorn and Helsby MP appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning where he admitted attacking 45-year-old Paul Fellows in Main Street, Frodsham, Cheshire, in October.
Speaking outside the court, he said his actions were “highly regrettable” and he was “sincerely sorry” to Mr Fellows and his family.
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CCTV footage showed Amesbury, who has been an MP since 2017, punching Mr Fellows to the ground.
Other previously released videos from another angle show Amesbury punching Mr Fellows repeatedly after knocking him to the floor as members of the public intervened.
It was reported to police at 2.48pm on Saturday 26 October.
The court heard how Amesbury told Mr Fellows “you won’t threaten your MP again” after punching him in the head with enough force to knock him to the ground.
The 55-year-old politician is currently an independent MP after he was suspended by Labour at the end of October when the CCTV footage emerged.
After admitting assault, the Labour Party confirmed his suspension will continue and he will remain an independent MP.
Reform UK said Amesbury should “do the honourable thing and resign immediately so a by-election can be held”.
The PM’s official spokesperson declined to comment on whether the MP should resign.
Pic: Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA
Punch followed chat about bridge closure
The court heard Mr Fellows recognised Amesbury in the taxi rank in Frodsham town centre at about 2am on 26 October last year.
Both were alone and had been drinking.
Alison Storey, prosecuting, said Mr Fellows approached the MP to remonstrate about a bridge closure in the town and CCTV then shows they spoke for several minutes but there was no aggression or raised voices.
Mr Fellows then started to walk away but Amesbury re-engaged and was heard saying “what” a few times before shouting it.
The victim then put his hands in his pockets and turned towards the taxi queue and when he turned back Amesbury punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground.
He then punched Mr Fellows again, at least five times, Ms Storey said.
She told the court he was then heard saying “you won’t threaten your MP again will you”.
Amesbury was voluntarily interviewed under caution by Cheshire Police in October and was charged with common assault on 7 November.
At the time, Amesbury said what happened was “deeply regrettable” and that he was cooperating with police.
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‘It is right he has taken responsibility’
A Labour Party spokesman said: “It is right that Mike Amesbury has taken responsibility for his unacceptable actions.
“He was rightly suspended by the Labour Party following the announcement of the police investigation.
“We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are still ongoing.”
Amesbury is set to be sentenced next month. If he is sent to prison or given a suspended sentence, he could lose his seat in the Commons.
A sentence of less than a year, even if it is suspended, would leave him liable to the recall process, which would trigger a by-election if 10% of registered voters in his seat sign a petition calling for it.
A jail term of more than a year would mean he automatically loses his seat.
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