Sadiq Khan in furious rant at Braverman: It’s not up to politicians to tell police what to do
Sadiq Khan has launched a furious rant against Suella Braverman, warning that it is not up to politicians to tell the police what to do
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Sadiq Khan criticised Suella Braverman for an Op-ed she published which accused the Met Police of "playing favourites" with protesters, warning that it is not up to politicians to tell the police what to do.
He said the Mayor of London and the Home Secretary can provide "oversight and scrutiny", but warned that it is not appropriate for them to intervene in "operational policing decisions".
In the article, the Home Secretary accused the police of "playing favourites" with protests.
She said the pro-Palestinian marches are "problematic" because of "violence around the fringes", in addition to "highly offensive" chants, posters and stickers.
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Braverman said: "Unfortunately, there is a perception that senior police officers play favourites when it comes to protesters," she said.
"Right-wing and nationalist protesters who engage in aggression are rightly met with a stern response yet pro-Palestinian mobs displaying almost identical behaviour are largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law."
But Khan dismissed the Op-Ed as "inaccurate, inflammatory & irresponsible", instead calling on Braverman to "support the police to keep everyone safe at this delicate time, not make their job harder".
He warned that her language could serve to "stoke divisions" and "reinforce stereotypes".
While allies of Braverman told GB News her Op-Ed received sign off from No. 10, the comments have generated mixed emotions within the party.
MP Miriam Cates told GB News she "fully supports" the intervention.
Meanwhile, a former minister said he is "surprised" at the "tone she has struck", but added that she is "voicing the concerns of many colleagues".
He added: "But I don’t think it’s a case of favouritism. It’s just weakness by Rowley.
"Compare the Met’s current stance with the way they treated those poor women at the Sarah Everard vigil. And taking the knee before BLM rioters outside Downing Street.
"Rowley is not up to it."
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But another Tory MP told Politico: "The Home Secretary’s article denigrates another group of U.K. citizens — first it was gay people, then homeless people and this time police officers …
"She yet again seeks to weaponise for personal gain groups of our citizens by belittling those she has the honour to serve.
"Not least the people of Northern Ireland, who she refers to as if they are part of a foreign country.”