Met Police chief ‘shocked’ by planned Palestine Action protest

The head of London’s Metropolitan Police has voiced significant apprehension regarding a demonstration scheduled for Monday. This planned event is in solidarity with the pro-Palestine group, Palestine Action. Despite the senior officer’s expressed concerns, the force has stated it lacks the legal authority to prevent the protest from taking place, Police officials clarified that existing legal provisions do not offer sufficient grounds to issue a ban on the upcoming gathering. The chief’s surprise is understood to relate to potential public order challenges or past activities linked to similar activist movements. Officers will be on duty to oversee the protest and manage any potential disruptions, operating within the boundaries of public order legislation. This situation highlights the complex role of law enforcement in balancing the right to peaceful assembly with maintaining civic order in the capital.