Rishi Sunak is right to hold Met Police chief to account for pro-Palestine demo’s policing on Armistice Day
Protest peril
MET Police chief Mark Rowley is effectively gambling his job on keeping order at Saturday’s Armistice Day pro-Palestine protest.
His officers had better do so, for his sake as well as the nation’s.
Rishi Sunak is right to hold him to account for the demo’s policing, even if the commissioner cannot see a legal basis to outlaw it.
He MUST at the very least ensure no violation of Whitehall, the Cenotaph or other war memorials.
And we respect the PM’s commitment to the freedom to protest, even if he believes this one is provocative and offensive. That freedom was won by those we honour on Armistice Day.
But we fear the worst.
Because although the Left is busy whitewashing these marches as entirely peaceful, that is patent nonsense.
Some organisers celebrated as noble “freedom fighters” those who raped, kidnapped, mutilated and slaughtered 1,400 Jews. And only the wilfully blind fail to see all those Islamist thugs proudly promoting monsters committed to Jewish genocide.
While many marchers are well-meaning, racism is widespread and blatant.
Even those supposedly campaigning solely for innocent Gazans gleefully recite the “river to the sea” chant — that chilling call for Israel’s eradication.
No wonder Jews are terrified.
And small wonder too that the Royal British Legion is struggling to find poppy sellers after some were bullied last weekend. That is appalling.
Even the protests’ apparently anodyne call for a “ceasefire” — misguidedly voiced by scores of MPs — is effectively pro-Hamas.
Because the terrorists admit they will ignore it and massacre more Jews at the first opportunity.
“Ceasefire” really means Israel’s unilateral withdrawal, with no conditions imposed on the terror group . . . not even the hostages’ release.
It would solely benefit Hamas — as those organising the London protests must surely understand.
Taxi for taxes
IS there anything the Tories won’t tax or ban?
Minicabs aren’t a limo service for the rich. They are used by millions of ordinary people, including the most vulnerable who have no other option.
Another 20 per cent VAT on fares will put them beyond reach for many.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt must ensure it does not happen.
Same goes with the new tax on vapes.
Any levy which threatens the most successful anti-smoking measure yet devised should be rejected.
Mr Hunt and the PM must resist siren calls from Westminster busybodies and Treasury lackeys for more nanny state interference.
That’s not what Tories are for.
If people want Whitehall meddling in their lives they can vote Labour.