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Corbyn and McDonnell to be Interviewed by Police Following Pro-Palestinian Rally
Following a recent pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London, MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have confirmed their intention to be interviewed under caution by police. The event, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), has drawn attention due to allegations of violations of the conditions set for the rally.
Corbyn, the former leader of the Labour Party at 75 years old, and 73-year-old McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, will voluntarily present themselves at a police station for questioning as part of the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing inquiry. The interviews are scheduled to take place on Sunday afternoon.
A total of ten individuals have been charged with public order offenses as a result of the protest, which witnessed multiple arrests. The Met has revealed that 24 others have been released on bail, while 48 remain in custody pending further investigations.
Among those charged are notable figures such as Chris Nineham, a chief steward for the march, and Piers Corbyn, Jeremy Corbyn’s brother. All ten charged are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court shortly. In addition, three unnamed men have agreed to attend a police station voluntarily for interviews.
On the day of the demonstration, a static rally took place with several thousand attendees in Whitehall, following police restrictions that prevented a planned march from Portland Place near the BBC headquarters. Police reported that a faction of protesters attempted to defy the restrictions by marching toward Trafalgar Square, resulting in a brief standoff with officers.
In a post shared by the Metropolitan Police on X, a photo was displayed of a group described as having forced their way through a police line at Trafalgar Square. Responding to this portrayal, Corbyn challenged the narrative, asserting that he was part of a delegation wishing to commemorate children killed in Gaza with a peaceful act of laying flowers.
“This is not an accurate description of events at all,” Corbyn stated. “We did not force our way through.” McDonnell supported Corbyn’s remarks, clarifying in his own post that their movement through police lines was indeed permitted by the officers present, and they laid down the flowers before peacefully dispersing.
As independent MPs, both Corbyn and McDonnell continue to navigate the changing political landscape, with Corbyn representing Islington North and McDonnell currently sitting as an independent after his suspension by the Labour Party earlier this year for voting against government policy regarding child benefits.
The Metropolitan Police enacted specific conditions on the rally under the Public Order Act to avoid potential disruptions, especially given its proximity to a synagogue and concerns about disturbances coinciding with Jewish services on the holy day. As a result, the organizers were directed to confine the protest to Whitehall.
Names of Individuals Charged with Public Order Offenses
- Piers Corbyn, 77, Elephant and Castle, London
- Christopher Nineham, 62, Bow, London
- Angela Zelter, 73, Knighton, Powys
- Tessa Roe-Stanton, 20, Brockley, London
- Starr Thomas, 20, Brockley, London
- Christian Adair, 23, Brockley, London
- Monday Rosenfeld, 21, Limehouse, London
- Colin Weedon, 78, Vauxhall, London
- Matthew Brennan, 44, St George, Bristol
- David Ok, 40, Kilburn, London
The situation remains fluid as investigations continue, with implications for public demonstrations and political discourse in the UK likely to follow.
Source
www.bbc.com