Priti Patel demands the Met Police does more to stop pro-Palestine protest convoys driving to London after demonstrators came from as far as Bradford for anti-Israel rallies
- Large numbers of cars have repeatedly driven down from as far away as Bradford
- Some of people in these cars have shouted antisemitic abuse from megaphones
- Police can stop or restrict protests if officers can show there is a threat
Priti Patel has demanded that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick do more to stop pro-Palestine protest convoys travelling to London.
Since mid-May, large numbers of cars have repeatedly driven into the capital from as far afield as Bradford and Sheffield to join demonstrations against Israel, with some occupants shouting antisemitic abuse from megaphones.
Police can stop or restrict protests if officers can show there is a threat of people being intimidated or a risk of serious disorder or criminal damage.
Priti Patel has demanded that Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick do more to stop pro-Palestine protest convoys travelling to London
The Home Secretary is understood to have repeatedly asked Ms Dick (pictured) to halt the protests
The Home Secretary is understood to have repeatedly asked Ms Dick to halt the protests.
Boris Johnson described antisemitic taunts made during the first protest on May 16 as ‘shameful racism’.
An insider said: ‘The Home Secretary is not happy with the Commissioner on this issue and has repeatedly made her view clear that more should have been done to stop the convoys.’
A source close to the Home Secretary said: ‘These antisemitic incidents were designed to intimidate Jewish people. Clearly Priti was concerned about the impact.’
Scotland Yard declined to comment, but a source said the response to the convoys had been ‘robust’.