London Mayor Sadiq Khan meets Met Commissioner over handling of protests in Gaza

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to discuss “community relations” following a row over the police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests.

Sir Mark Rowley will meet Mr Khan on Monday following an outcry over an incident in which an anti-Semitism activist was threatened with arrest near a demonstration on April 13.

The commissioner is also expected to meet Home Secretary James Cleverly in the coming days, and has come under pressure to resign following a series of criticisms over the Met’s handling of protests over the past six months approached.

However, government sources have played down the possibility that Sir Mark could be sacked and it is believed he retains the mayor’s confidence.

The latest row followed the release of footage showing an officer describing Gideon Falter, CEO of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), as “openly Jewish” and another saying he would be arrested if he left the area of the protest would not leave as his own. presence was “counteractive.”

The force apologized before being forced to issue another statement apologizing for its first apology, which suggested that opponents of pro-Palestinian marches “must know that their presence is provocative.”

Deputy Commissioner Matt Twist has also written to Mr Falter, offering him a private meeting “to apologize to him personally and discuss what more the Met can do to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe”.

Both Mr Falter and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman called on Sir Mark to resign, accusing him of “encouraging” anti-Semites by failing to curtail the now regular marches through the capital.

While government sources have expressed their condemnation of the incident involving Mr Falter, they have been keen to emphasize that no one in the government is threatening Sir Mark’s position.

One source said: “The Prime Minister has seen the footage and is as shocked as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter ‘openly Jewish’.

“He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make London’s Jewish communities feel safe – and that Sadiq Khan will do his job by to hold the Met to account.”

Both the Mayor and the Home Secretary have a responsibility to hold the Commissioner to account, although the Mayor is the one who should set the strategic direction for policing in London.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said the Met’s handling of the incident was “concerning” and that the initial statement was “insensitive and wrong”.

The spokesperson added: “The Met has an extremely difficult job – especially when it comes to operational decisions made during police marches.

“But ultimately the Met must have the trust of the communities they serve and it is right that they have apologized for the way the incident was handled and for their original public response.”

Sir Mark said: “Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city where everyone feels safe.

“We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.

“Some of our actions have increased these concerns. Personally, I repeat our apology from earlier this week.

“Today, like every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.”

In a bid to rebuild relations with London’s Jewish community, Sir Mark will also meet with representatives from the London Jewish Forum and the Community Security Trust, while other community representatives have been invited to attend an operational planning session on protests .

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We welcome the apology from US police and recognize the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish, or of any other race or religion, should never be seen as provocative seen.

“Everyone of any religion should have the freedom to live their own lives and feel safe doing so.”