Johnny Mercer: I recognise hurt caused by stage set up at Cenotaph during pro-Palestine rally
The Veterans Minister says he recognises the hurt caused by a stage being set up by pro-Palestine demonstrators next to the Cenotaph in London.
Protesters put up the covered platform alongside the national memorial in Whitehall during a march on Saturday, 14 October.
The Cenotaph, a national memorial in the UK to the fallen, is the focal point for the country's annual remembrance commorations and has been for more than 100 years.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Johnny Mercer said: "I recognise the hurt this has caused in the veteran community and across the country.
"I have spoken to the Home Secretary and the Met Police about it, ensuring we all work together to avoid situations like this happening again."
Speaking on Sky News, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat said the area on Whitehall is "sacred ground" and the stage should not have been put up for Palestine Solidarity Campaign speakers, adding: "It's disgraceful. To many of us the Cenotaph is sacred ground.
"There's a reason it matters so much to our national consciousness."
In response, a Met Police spokesperson said: "We recognise the huge significance and sensitivity about the Cenotaph and have seen the concerns raised about the positioning of stands as part of the protests on Saturday.
"We see hundreds of protests every year passing through or finishing at Whitehall and it is important to explain that police do not authorise, nor are responsible for, deciding or giving permission on where stands are positioned on public highways.
"Organisers need to apply to local authorities to be given permission for placing any item or structure on their roads."
The spokesperson continued: "In this instance, that permission would be for consideration by Westminster City Council."
In a statement, Westminster Council said: "The council did not give permission."
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