‘Hate marches’ are affront – Sunak wants protest on Armistice Day banned

The Prime Minister said ­yesterday that a large pro-­Palestinian march would be both “provocative” and “disrespectful”. But the Express understands he would prefer the protest in London not to go ahead at all.

He warned of a risk of the Cenotaph and other war memorials being desecrated, which he said “would be an affront” to British values.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman also spoke out, describing the planned protest as a “hate march”.

Mr Sunak’s intervention comes amid warnings more than a million protesters are being urged to flood the capital on November 11 to denounce Israel’s actions in Gaza.

There are also fears any rally could spill over to the Sunday and clash with the traditional service at the Cenotaph.

READ MORE Activist dragged out as police break up mass Palestine protest at London station

And there are concerns marchers could disrupt the two-minute silence commemorating the war dead.

The PM said in a statement: “To plan protests on Armistice Day is provocative and disrespectful, and there is a clear and present risk that the Cenotaph and other war memorials could be desecrated, something that would be an affront to the British public and the values we stand for.

“The right to remember, in peace and dignity, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms must be protected. I have asked the Home Secretary to support the Met Police in doing everything necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.”

In his letter, the PM made it clear that he backs the Met using “all the powers available” to them to ensure the demonstrations do not disrupt services and desecrate memorials. He added: “This robust approach is welcome.”

Tensions are mounting as the ­crisis in Israel and Gaza intensifies, prompting demands for soldiers to bolster security on the streets of London.

Home Secretary Mrs Braverman said: “It is entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London.

“If it goes ahead there is an ­obvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people.

“I have full confidence in the Metropolitan Police to ensure public safety and take all factors into account as they have done in ­similar situations in the past.”

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Anything being planned to intentionally disrupt Remembrance weekend is unacceptable. It would be an absolute disgrace to hear abusive chants at this moment of national solemnity.”

Security minister Tom Tugendhat, a veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, called the protests “inappropriate”. He added: “Let’s be clear, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign has said that they want to march on Remembrance Sunday, and that is a matter of great concern to me.

“It is a moment where we remember those we lost, and I think for the whole country the Cenotaph is sacred ground, and the idea that on a day like Remembrance Day you would have a protest going past it, I don’t think that is acceptable.”

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Veterans minister Johnny Mercer said: “As someone who struggles to wear his medals at Remembrance, I’m the last person to insist that people behave in a certain manner on Remembrance weekend.

“However, protests that weekend are wholly inappropriate. It is the one weekend a year that we come together ­formally to remember the immense sacrifice of our Armed Forces personnel and their families.

“The police are right to use the full powers at their disposal to protect the sanctity of remembrance, and I hope protest organisers also have the decency to ask protesters to stay away. The freedom to protest was hard won, and we must never forget those who cannot enjoy those freedoms today.”

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “Armistice Day is sacrosanct. These disrespectful and often hate-filled marches, routinely intimidating our fellow citizens, must not be permitted to demean our moments of remembrance.”

While the police will be responsible for monitoring the planned ­demonstration, Mrs Braverman could grant them extra powers to prevent it from interrupting remembrance ceremonies. The Public Order Act 1986 allows her to ban protests from certain areas if the Met believes there is a disorder risk. Scotland Yard has vowed to use all its powers to stop disruption of remembrance events.

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It said officers will be deployed across the capital over Remembrance weekend as part of a “significant policing and security operation”. Bosses are also considering drafting officers in from other forces, as they did for the Coronation in May.

The force said protest groups have not indicated plans to march on Remembrance Sunday, but a large demonstration is expected on the Saturday. Commander Karen Findlay, who is in charge of Scotland Yard’s response to protests, said: “We’re four weeks in.

“We always review our policing response and our approach and we’re really aware of the fact that it is increasing community tension. There’s increasing community concern, against a backdrop of increasing hate crime.

“So it’s only right that we look to sharpen our policing response because it’s the sentiment of the community that matters in this.”

Rally organisers have pledged to avoid the Whitehall area where the Cenotaph war memorial is located. There have been successive weekend protests in Central London since Hamas terrorists launched their barbaric attack on Israel on October 7. A previous march sparked outrage when a stage draped in Palestinian flags was set up next to the Cenotaph.

Dilly Hussain, of Muslim news site 5Pillars, had sparked anger earlier this week by saying the traditional two-minute silence would be disrespected.

Campaign group Friends of Al-Aqsa has called on supporters to join “the million march for Palestine” and is believed to be laying on coaches to take people to the capital.

But it said they will not be at the Cenotaph.

A spokesman said: “We understand the sensitivity of the date.”

It comes amid concerns about anti-Semitic slogans being used at pro-Palestine protests. Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely said “jihad ideology” left London feeling less safe for Jews than wartime Israel.

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