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London police used force against several women present during a vigil for the murdered Sarah Everard. That meets criticism.
Hundreds of people held a vigil for the murdered Sarah Everard on Saturday night.
(dpa)
Hundreds of people gathered at a bandstand in Clapham Common Park in the south of the British capital on Saturday night, despite warnings of violations of Corona rules. Organizers had previously withdrawn an official call for the vigil after talks with police over the implementation of the crown measures failed.
The body of Everard, 33, had previously been discovered in a wooded area in the county of Kent, in southeastern England. She was last seen alive near Clapham Common Park on March 3. A 48-year-old policeman who is now in custody is suspected.
Videos of the police operation on Saturday night on the Internet showed how police officers forcibly dragged several women out of the bandstand. A woman was pushed to the ground. “Officers at the scene faced a very difficult decision,” a Scotland Yard spokeswoman later justified the operation, which resulted in four arrests. People stayed together at night and the risk of transmission of the coronavirus was very high. There were no worries during the day when many people laid flowers at the makeshift memorial site. Among them was Duchess Kate, as confirmed by the palace circles of the German press agency.
A concerned prime minister
Prime Minister Boris Johnson commented on the events Sunday night. He was “deeply concerned” after seeing the footage of the police operation, he told the Reuters news agency. She announced that she would meet with ministers and police on Monday to take a closer look at what can be done for the safety of women.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan had previously described the scenes of the police operation as “unacceptable”. Police have a responsibility to enforce Corona’s measures, but the footage makes it clear that the officials’ reaction “was neither appropriate nor proportionate,” the Labor politician said.
The Clapham Common scenes are unacceptable. The police have a responsibility to enforce Covid laws, but from the images I have seen, it is clear that the response was sometimes not appropriate or proportionate. I am in contact with the Commissioner and am urgently seeking an explanation.
– Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 13, 2021
Conservative Interior Minister Priti Patel described the recordings as disturbing at times. He has requested a “full report” from Scotland Yard on the events.
Some of the images circulating online from the vigil in Clapham are haunting. I have asked the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what happened.
My thoughts remain with Sarah’s family and friends at this terrible time.
– Priti Patel (@pritipatel) March 13, 2021
The leader of the Liberal Democrats in the British Parliament, Ed Davey, called on London Police Chief Cressida Dick to resign. The scenes of the police operation are an embarrassment to the Metropolitan Police, Davey said on Twitter.
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