Home Secretary Suella Braverman is set to question the Met Police chief about the force’s response to incidents during a pro-Palestinian protest in London.
A video posted online appeared to show a man chanting “jihad” during a rally by an Islamist group on Saturday.
The Met stated that no offenses were found in the clip, which took place at a separate event from the main march and was organized by Hizb ut-Tahrir.
However, Braverman wants an explanation from Sir Mark Rowley.
The meeting between Braverman and the Met Police chief was already scheduled to discuss ongoing protests and the fight against anti-Semitism.
Nevertheless, a source close to Braverman stated that she would seize the opportunity to inquire about Sir Mark’s perspective on his force’s handling of Saturday’s incident.
The source emphasized that there should be “no place for incitement to hatred or violence on Britain’s streets”.
Braverman has strongly urged the police to take action against anyone breaking the law.
The Met estimated that approximately 100,000 people gathered in central London on Saturday to express solidarity with Palestinian civilians.
Over 1,000 officers were involved in policing the demonstration near Downing Street, resulting in ten arrests.
The Met mentioned that the arrests made during Saturday’s march were related to possession of fireworks, public order, and assaulting an emergency service worker.
However, on Sunday, the force announced that no further action would be taken after a video emerged of a man chanting “jihad, jihad” at the smaller rally organized by the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was situated close to the main march.
A statement from the force stated that they “had not identified any offenses arising from the specific clip”, and highlighted that the word jihad has multiple meanings.
The force also revealed that no further action would be taken after reviewing photographs of protesters holding banners referring to “Muslim armies”.
Home Office Minister Robert Jenrick expressed his belief that the chant amounted to “inciting terrorist violence” and emphasized the need to address it with the full force of the law.
During an interview with Sky News on Sunday, he stated, “Chanting ‘jihad’ on the streets of London is completely reprehensible and I never want to see scenes like that.”
However, Jenrick acknowledged that it is an “operational matter” for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide whether to press charges.
