Any disruption of Remembrance weekend unacceptable, Defence Secretary says
Any disruption of the events over Remembrance weekend would be completely unacceptable, the Defence Secretary has warned.
Grant Shapps said: "It would be an absolute disgrace to hear abusive chants as the nation pays its respects to those that have sacrificed everything for our freedom."
His comments were made after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a statement condemning any "disrespectful protests planned for Armistice Day".
There are reports that tens of thousands of demonstrators are planning to take to the streets of London to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel's attacks on Gaza on Saturday 11 November.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Sunak said: "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 [Suella Braverman] to support the Met Police in doing everything necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday."
Security Minister Tom Tugendhat has written to the Mayor of London, Westminster Council and the Metropolitan Police "asking them to look very carefully at the powers that they have and to consider what options they have available".
"Personally, I don't think this is an appropriate moment for a protest," Mr Tugendhat told the BBC.
He posted on X in response to Mr Sunak's statement: "Remembrance is a period of profound importance to veterans and their families.
"It's a time of gratitude, but also of grief and personal loss.
"On Armistice Day, the Cenotaph should be about one thing only: honouring the memory of those who gave their lives defending our country."
'People's right to protest is important'
The Labour Party echoed these sentiments, with Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey posting on X: "Remembrance is a time for us to come together to honour the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"People's right to protest is important - but cenotaphs and Remembrance services must be protected and properly respected."
'Significant policing and security operation'
The Metropolitan Police could ask the Home Secretary for temporary powers to ban protests from going ahead in certain areas of London, but only if it believes there is a risk of "serious public disorder".
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whose role gives him influence over policing priorities in the capital, said Mr Tugendhat should stop "posturing".
He said: "If this security minister knew his brief, he would know the only person in the country that can ban marches is the Home Secretary – his colleague in Cabinet."
Mr Khan said it is "incredibly important" that demonstrators understand the importance of Remembrance events and the Met Police was speaking to protest organisers to "make sure they stay away from the Cenotaph".
He added: "I'd encourage the organisers to work with the police to stay away from the Cenotaph."
The Met has vowed to use all its powers to stop any disruption of commemorations, and said officers would be deployed across the capital as part of a "significant policing and security operation".
It said protest groups had not indicated plans to march on Remembrance Sunday itself, but a significant demonstration is expected the day before.
Demonstration organisers have pledged to avoid the Whitehall area where the Cenotaph war memorial – the focus of national remembrance events – is located.
'We understand the sensitivity of the date'
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, in a letter to Mr Sunak, said: "Like you, I recognise the profound significance of Armistice Day and the events that take place across the weekend in central London and in communities across London.
"We will take a robust approach and, yesterday, I set out our intent to use all the powers available to the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service), including putting in place conditions, if required, to ensure events in Whitehall and the surrounding areas as well as other locations of significance across London are not undermined."
The high-profile Remembrance Sunday outdoor service at the Cenotaph is attended by royals, senior politicians and veterans and is a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives in conflict.
Armistice Day on 11 November is the anniversary of the end of the First World War and is also known as Remembrance Day.
Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) is preparing to bus protesters from Leicester to London on the Saturday and said it expects hundreds of thousands of people to take part in the demonstration, organised by a coalition of groups.
Spokesman Ismail Patel said: "We definitely will not be at the Cenotaph. We understand the sensitivity of the date."
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