UK premier to hold London police chief accountable for allowing pro-Palestinian rally on Armistice Day

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed Wednesday to hold the Metropolitan Police chief accountable for allowing a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Armistice Day.

Controversy in Britain continues over the pro-Palestinian protests that have been held since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

Sunak recently called the upcoming demonstration on Saturday "disrespectful," with an Armistice Day service set to take place the same day.

In a statement Wednesday, he again called the planned protest "disrespectful" and "offending."

"It is because that sacrifice is so immense that Saturday’s planned protest is not just disrespectful but offends our heartfelt gratitude to the memory of those who gave so much so that we may live in freedom and peace today," said Sunak.

Mentioning his meeting with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, he said Rowley provided reassurance to those who wish to pay their respects across the country and keep the public safe from disorder this weekend.

"It’s welcome that the police have confirmed that the march will be away from the Cenotaph (War Memorial) and they will ensure that the timings do not conflict with any Remembrance events," he said.

Later, speaking during a visit to a school in Lincolnshire, Sunak said he would hold the Metropolitan Police chief accountable for allowing the pro-Palestinian demonstration on Armistice Day.

"This is a decision that the Metropolitan Police commissioner has made. He has said that he can ensure that we safeguard remembrance for the country this weekend as well as keep the public safe. Now, my job is to hold him accountable for that."

Earlier, the police formally asked organizers of pro-Palestine protests to postpone the Saturday rally. But meeting with Met officers, the organizers declined to postpone any demonstrations.

The police “raised concern about the possibility of breakaway groups leaving the marches but were not able to provide any evidence as to why this risk would be increased on Saturday," the groups said in a joint statement Monday.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the planned march on Nov. 11 from Hyde Park to the US embassy in London, a route which the organizers said is "well away" from the center of London and Whitehall.