This statement by PM Sunak comes in the wake of security concerns of British MPs and some violent incidents during massive marches on the streets of Britain in protest against the Israel-Hamas war.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has adopted a tough stance towards violent protests by the mob. PM Sunak has asked the country’s police chiefs to deal with full force against elements indulging in violence during protests. He has told police officials that at any cost the protests should not be allowed to turn into a ‘mob system’.
This statement by PM Sunak comes in the wake of security concerns of British MPs and some violent incidents during massive marches on the streets of Britain in protest against the Israel-Hamas war. According to media reports, Indian-origin British Prime Minister Sunak held a meeting with police chiefs at his office 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. During this, a new ‘policing protocol’ was agreed upon.
At the meeting, PM Sunak said that there is a growing consensus that mobocracy is replacing democratic governance. We all have to stop this immediately. “We cannot allow increasingly violent and intimidating behavior aimed at stifling open debate and preventing elected representatives from doing their jobs,” he said. This is completely undemocratic.
Will take every necessary step to protect democracy…
He said the new policing protocol commits to additional patrolling. Under this, protests at the homes of MPs, councilors and other elected representatives will be considered intimidating. “I am going to do whatever is necessary to protect our democracy and our country’s values,” Sunak said. These are the expectations of the public. This is necessary for our democratic system. It is also important to maintain public confidence in the police.
New policing protocol will ensure safety of MPs
Under the new seven-point policing protocol, police forces will ensure security at any event involving MPs or candidates ahead of the general elections later this year. The protocol explains that Section 42 of the UK Criminal Justice Act 2001 gives police the power to remove protesters from MPs’ homes on the grounds that such demonstrations are threatening and intimidating.
