<
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/08/arrests-coronation-protesters-premeditated-republic-chief-police>
"The Metropolitan police have defended the arrest of anti-monarchy protesters
during the coronation despite announcing that no charges will be brought
against them.
The force said it expressed “regret” that six demonstrators from the Republic
campaign group were arrested on Saturday.
Graham Smith, the head of the group, said it was considering legal action and
demanded an inquiry into the conduct of officers.
Scotland Yard released a statement on Monday night stating that it believed
items found alongside a large number of placards could be used as “lock-on
devices”.
“The investigation team have now fully examined the items seized and reviewed
the full circumstances of the arrest,” the statement added. “Those arrested
stated the items would be used to secure their placards, and the investigation
has been unable to prove intent to use them to lock on and disrupt the event.
“This evening all six have had their bail cancelled and no further action will
be taken. We regret that those six people arrested were unable to join the
wider group of protesters in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere on the procession
route.”
Smith said a chief inspector and two other officers from the Met apologised to
him at his home in Reading on Monday evening.
The activist told the PA news agency: “I had three officers at my door
personally apologising and handing the straps [for the placards] back to me.
They were a chief inspector and two other officers from the Met. They seemed
rather embarrassed, to be honest."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
