Measures are in place amid tensions over protests on Remembrance Day, Mercer says
Veterans' Affairs Minister Johnny Mercer has encouraged people to go to London for Remembrance commemorations this weekend, amid tensions over protests taking place within the capital on Armistice Day.
Mr Mercer said it was right that pro-Palestinian demonstrations should go ahead on Saturday, pointing out that former soldiers such as himself had "put on the uniform" in order to uphold "our fellow citizens' right to protest".
In a letter written to Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley, Mr Mercer said he had been trying to dampen tensions and stop any counter-protests from veterans.
He told Sir Mark: "I wanted to write to offer you some encouragement as you deal with a very difficult policing challenge over this Remembrance weekend.
"I have spent this last weekend dissuading various veterans groups from organising marches or protests this Saturday. Remembrance is not a political event, and neither is it a protest. It is our one moment a year when the nation – of all our brilliantly diverse persuasions and colours – comes together to remember our war dead.
"I, like most veterans, feel passionately about our fellow citizens' right to protest and the freedoms of speech and expression that we once put on the uniform to uphold."
Mr Mercer continued: "However, I do not wish to see their rights to protest conflicted with the deliberately antagonistic actions of a few, who misunderstand Remembrance and seek to put off those who are taking part or attending events in London.
"I have particular concern towards our elderly veterans for whom travelling to London once a year is an important part of their Remembrance, and have expressed genuine fears to me around their ability to travel to London, particularly through our rail stations, unmolested."
He requested that the police "make full use of the powers at their disposal to ensure that these concerns do not materialise".
In a video, Mr Mercer stressed that the route of the pro-Palestinian march was not due to go near the Cenotaph in Whitehall and that measures were in place.
He wrote on X: "Come to London; it's the most important weekend of the year for our community, and we will make sure you are safe."
The pro-Palestinian coalition behind the protests calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has pledged to avoid the Whitehall area.
There are concerns that breakaway groups from the main march could look for trouble, while counter-demonstrations may also add to policing difficulties.
Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who leads public order policing in London, said on Monday: "The risk of violence and disorder linked to breakaway groups is growing.
"This is of concern ahead of a significant and busy weekend in the capital.
"Our message to organisers is clear: please, we ask you to urgently reconsider. It is not appropriate to hold any protests in London this weekend."
The organisers of the protest said they were "deeply concerned" by the Met statement and claimed the force could not provide "any evidence" for why the risk of breakaway groups engaging in criminal activity would be any greater.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has heaped further pressure on the Met Police to ban the pro-Palestinian march on Armistice Day.
The Prime Minister believes a protest on 11 November would be "provocative and disrespectful".
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