PM condemns ‘wholly unacceptable’ violence of far-right and ‘Hamas sympathisers’

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Prime Minister said the ugly scenes in central London on Armistice Day “utterly disrespects” the spirit of remembrance as police confirmed 126 arrests with nine officers injured. “That is true for EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.” He said he would be meeting the Met chief, adding: “All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Both violence and hate crimes must face the full force of the law.” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan paid tribute to the Met police for dealing “with a very difficult day with exceptional professionalism”, as he supported the force in “taking a zero-tolerance approach against anyone found committing violent offences or spreading hate”. He also said: “The far right have clearly been encouraged and emboldened by what they have heard this week, including from senior politicians like the Home Secretary.” Mr Sunak has faced growing calls to sack Suella Braverman as Home Secretary as she has been accused of stoking tensions by branding pro-Palestinian demonstrators “hate marchers” and accusing the police of bias for letting the rally go ahead.