London police chief slammed for defending arrest of 83-year-old priest at anti-Israel rally

The head of London's Metropolitan Police force has been heavily criticized for defending the arrest of an 83-year-old retired priest who expressed support for the pro-Palestinian campaign group, Palestine Action, and opposed the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza.

Protesters on the weekend gathered at Parliament Square, defying a warning from the Metropolitan Police, who said expressing support for the group “is a criminal offense.”

The Met later confirmed that its forces had arrested 29 protesters on suspicion of “terror offenses.”

Police also arrested octogenarian priest Sue Parfitt for holding a placard that read, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

The arrest sparked widespread outrage among the British public and on social media.

But the proactive remarks by Met chief commissioner Mark Rowley have now added fuel to the fire.

In an interview with the state-run British media outlet BBC on Sunday, Rowley defended the arrest and police treatment of the retired female priest

"The law doesn't have an age limit, whether you're 18 or 80," he said while responding to a question.

"If you're supporting proscribed organizations, then the law is going to be enforced. Officers, you could see, did it with great care and tried to preserve that person's dignity, but they're breaking a serious law."

Zack Polanski, the Green party deputy leader who is standing to lead the party, remarked on social media that Rowley "says 'serious' so many times.

Polanski also strongly criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for appointing Rowley as the police chief. 

"The depravity of arresting people for helping placards when they're actively opposing a genocide which our government are active participants is what's serious here."

"Starmer has put him in this indefensible position."

Protesters in London defy ban to rally in support of Palestine Action

Protesters gathered in London after the UK designated Palestine Action a terrorist group, risking arrest for showing support.

The British government officially classified the pro-Palestinian campaign group, Palestine Action, as a “terrorist organization” from midnight on July 5.

The group has focused much of its campaign on Elbit Systems UK, which it accuses of manufacturing and supplying weapons to the Israeli military amid the regime’s genocidal war on Gaza. It says direct action is necessary to “end British facilitation of those crimes” being committed by the regime in Gaza.

Under the new legislation, membership in or public support for the group is now a criminal offense in the UK, punishable by up to 14 years in prison. 

Palestine Action previously said that while the UK government “is rushing through Parliament absurd legislation to proscribe Palestine Action, the real terrorism is being committed in Gaza.”

Hundreds rally outside London High Court to oppose Palestine Action terror designation

Hundreds gather outside London’s Royal Courts of Justice in fierce solidarity with Palestine Action.

Rights groups say the British government is misusing anti-terrorism laws to silence protesters, who are speaking out for Palestinian rights.

Since the start of Israel’s devastating war on Gaza in October 2023, the UK has seen some of the largest pro-Palestinian demonstrations in its history, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets demanding an end to British arms exports to Tel Aviv.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk