Hate Crime Law Gets Clarity Amidst Protest Controversy

• Controversy surrounds Metropolitan Police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
• Updated guidance on hate crimes to be given to police.
• Ministers push for stricter police action in response to a video showing a man shouting “war.”

Amid a controversy over the Metropolitan Police’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests, the police are set to receive updated guidance on hate crimes.

Ministers are urging stricter police action in response to a video where a man was seen shouting “war” at a separate event during the main march.

After a thorough review, the Met Police stated they did not identify any offenses in the video.

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley expressed frustration, pointing to constraints imposed by current hate speech laws. He emphasized that his force is unwavering in dealing with anyone crossing the legal line.

However, Sir Mark argued that the laws on hate crimes may need revision, as extremist groups can disseminate harmful messages without violating existing legislation.

When questioned about Sir Mark’s remarks in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asserted that the police already possess the authority to apprehend individuals inciting violence or racial hatred.

Mr. Sunak said there was “no place on our streets for that type of behavior”.

The Homes Office is working “extensively to clarify the guidance to officers on the ground, so they are aware fully about the powers and tools that are available to them to make sure these people feel the force of the law”, he added.

Several Ministers, including Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, have called for tougher policing of the protests. On Sunday, he argued the chant of war was “inciting terrorist violence” and should be “tackled with the full force of the law”.

On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police estimated that around 100,000 individuals congregated in central London to express their solidarity with Palestinian civilians.

Approximately 1,000 officers were deployed to oversee the demonstration near Downing Street. During the event, 34 arrests were made, primarily related to offenses involving possession of fireworks, public order disturbances, and assaults on emergency service personnel.

However, on Sunday, the police announced that no further action would be taken following the circulation of online footage showing a man chanting “war, war” at a smaller rally organized by the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, which was in proximity to the main march.

Under the Public Order Act, inciting violence against another person is considered a criminal offense. Meanwhile, the Terrorism Act necessitates prosecutors to demonstrate that someone was actively encouraging others to “commit, prepare, or instigate acts of terrorism” in order to secure a conviction.

In a statement the Met Police said the word jihad had “a number of meanings but we know the public will most commonly associate it with terrorism”.

It said it “had not identified any offences arising from the specific clip”, and specialist lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service had reached the same conclusion.

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