Suella Braverman accused of 'sowing the seeds of hatred', as pressure remains for her to resign
The home secretary toned down her use of language on the eve of Armistice Day, where she said police had her "full backing". Despite this, many politicians blame her for inciting clashes between the police and far-right counter-protesters.
Saturday 11 November 2023 22:59, UK
Suella Braverman has been accused of "sowing the seeds of hatred" by Sir Keir Starmer after her comments about the police and pro-Palestinian marches.
The Labour leader took aim at the home secretary after she branded pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including one which took place on Saturday in central London, "hate marches" and accused the police of "double standards" in the way they handle protests.
Sir Keir said few people in public life had "done more recently to whip up division, set the British people against one another and sow the seeds of hatred and distrust than Suella Braverman".
Follow live: Tension remains on London streets
"In doing so, she demeans her office," he wrote in the Sunday Telegraph.
Bringing the prime minister into view, Sir Keir said Ms Braverman and Rishi Sunak's treatment of the police and protesters showed a "lack of respect for this country's values and its principles" after the pair urged police to ban the Armistice Day demonstration.
It follows calls from numerous senior political figures for Ms Braverman to resign, after they blamed her for violence that broke out in the capital.
On Saturday, a total of 126 people were arrested in London.
This included 82 people who were arrested in Pimlico, central London. The Metropolitan Police said they were part of a large group of counter-protesters who tried to reach the main pro-Palestinian march in the capital.
Police later said a total of 126 people had been arrested, including a number who were held after a group broke away from the main demonstration.
The protesters were wearing face coverings and firing fireworks, some of which struck police officers in the face, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the scenes of disorder were a "direct result of the home secretary's words," adding that the police's job had been made much harder as a consequence.
While shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper called for "calm", with a swipe at Mrs Braverman for fuelling tensions.
"Everyone must reflect on the impact of their words and actions. It is the responsibility of all of us to bring people together over this weekend, not divide and inflame," she posted on social media.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was one of those in attendance at the march.
Addressing crowds from on top of a fire engine near Vauxhall, he said Mr Sunak and Ms Braverman's attempt to stop the march from going ahead has been "shamed".
What unfolds today could impact Braverman's position as home secretary
Ugly scenes are unfolding in Whitehall. As counter protesters make their way through London, fighting has broken out, dozens have been arrested and already the home secretary’s language is being blamed.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf posted on X: "The far right has been emboldened by the home secretary", the London Mayor Sadiq Khan says the disorder is a "direct result of her words".
These are not people who are shy of criticising the home secretary, but others will be making a link between Suella Braverman’s language and the images coming out of Whitehall.
In the last week, senior cabinet ministers have distanced themselves from the home secretary after she repeatedly called pro-Palestinian protests "hate marches" and accused the Met Police of playing favourites.
The Chancellor said her words were "not words I would have used".
The truth is, it is impossible to know what would have happened if she hadn't made those comments.
Right wing groups have been in Whitehall in previous weeks, scuffles have broken out and police have been injured. It was always likely there would be significant counter protests on Armistice day.
Suella Braverman's words certainly don't seem to have calmed the situation, however.
Last night. the home secretary took a more conciliatory tone, a source close to her confirmed she met the commissioner of the Met Police and emphasised "her full backing for the police".
But more widespread trouble in the coming hours has to be seen in the political context: Number 10 is not happy with the home secretary for publishing an article without their clearance, her job remains in the balance.
What unfolds today could impact whether Suella Braverman is still home secretary this time next week.
"It seems that there's one million of us here today in London showing our solidarity with the people of Palestine, so Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak's attempt to stop this has been shamed for what it is," he said.
"They should be ashamed also (of) their vote on the United Nations when they wouldn't even support a call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Shame on them."
Ms Braverman asserted that she had given police her "full backing" at a meeting with Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley on the eve of Armistice Day.
Read more:
Deepfake audio of Sadiq Khan is not a criminal offence
Leaked messages reveal scale of civil war between Tory MPs
Suella Braverman's long list of controversies
Despite this, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said the far-right had been "emboldened" by Ms Braverman in a post on X.
He wrote: "The far right has been emboldened by the home secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the police on Armistice Day.
"The home secretary's position is untenable. She must resign."
Nine officers were injured as they prevented a crowd of mainly "football hooligans" reaching the Cenotaph, with Mr Twist calling their "extreme violence" towards the police "extraordinary and deeply concerning".
Officers later clashed with protesters from both sides in Chinatown and Victoria station.
Mr Twist said "a week of intense debate about protest and policing" helped "increase community tensions".
'Rishi Sunak is responsible'
On Friday, Mr Sunak maintained "full confidence" in his home secretary, even after some ministers had already distanced themselves from her after she claimed some people were homeless as a "lifestyle choice".
He defied calls from Labour and the Liberal Democrats to sack Ms Braverman, but there has been speculation that a ministerial reshuffle could see the home secretary moved.
Layla Moran, a Liberal Democrat MP who has family in Gaza, said the blame for any trouble caused by far-right groups lay with Mr Sunak.
"As the police in central London work to contain the far-right, and everyone starts to blame Suella Braverman, just remember who chose to not only give her the job but also chose not to sack her," she wrote on Saturday.
"Rishi Sunak is as, if not more, responsible for what happens today".