Met Police Commissioner Defends Arrest of 83-Year-Old Priest on Terror Offences

Strategic Insights -

Police officers detained 29 protesters in Parliament Square, including Rev. Sue Parfitt, 83, and Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer, on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, which the government banned as a terror group last week. The protesters had notified the Metropolitan Police of their protest in advance and officers gave them a 30-minute grace period before making arrests. The police action comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions and protests in support of Palestine Action, with co-founder Huda Ammori vowing to resist through the courts and continue campaigns of civil disobedience.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Metropolitan Police arrested 29 protesters in Parliament Square on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a group banned as a terror organization by the government last week.
  • Among those detained was Rev. Sue Parfitt, 83, a retired priest from Bristol, and Tim Crosland, a former government lawyer.
  • Police gave protesters a 30-minute notice before making arrests, despite having been notified of the protest in advance.
  • The police action comes as co-founder Huda Ammori vowed to resist through the courts and continue campaigns of civil disobedience against the ban.
  • Palestine Action has faced allegations of causing significant damage, including an estimated £7 million of damage to two Voyager planes at RAF BrizeNorton on June 20.
  • Those found guilty of being a member of Palestine Action or expressing support for the group could face up to 14 years in prison.
  • The Met Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has defended the policing of the protest, stating that "the law doesn't have an age limit" and that officers arrested the protester with "great care and tried to preserve that person's dignity."

Statistics:

  • 29 protesters were detained in Parliament Square by the Metropolitan Police.
  • 83 is the age of Rev. Sue Parfitt, a retired priest who was one of those detained.
  • 30 minutes was the grace period given to protesters before police made arrests.
  • £7 million is the estimated amount of damage caused by Palestine Action activists to two Voyager planes at RAF BrizeNorton on June 20.
  • 14 years is the maximum sentence those found guilty of being a member of Palestine Action or expressing support for the group could face.

Sources:

  • The Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, speaking to the BBC on the policing of the protest.
  • Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, cited in the context of the Home Office ban on Palestine Action.
  • Huda Ammori, co-founder of Palestine Action, in a public meeting of over 1,000 supporters.
  • "Starmer should recognise Palestine, letters, page 22" (The Guardian)
  • "Labelling Palestine Action as terrorists was unwise, leading articles, page 23" (The Guardian)