PM 'appalled' over Met officer's threat to arrest 'openly Jewish' man

RISHI Sunak says he is "appalled" by footage of a police officer threatening to arrest a Jewish man near a pro-Palestinian rally, Government sources said yesterday.

- Michael Knowles

The Prime Minister wants the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to "account" for the growing concerns over his force's handling of protests and marches.

Amid calls for him to resign, the Scotland Yard chief will face questions over how officers can "do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe".

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was described as "openly Jewish" by an officer during a protest in central London on April 13.

In the clip, another officer told Mr Falter he would be arrested if he did not leave the area because he was "causing a breach of peace with all these other people" as his presence was "antagonising".

A Government source said: "The PM has seen the footage and is as appalled as everyone by the officer calling Mr Falter 'openly Jewish'. He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make Jewish communities in London feel safe and Sadiq Khan to do his job in holding the Metto account."

Last night a spokesman for the mayor of London said Mr Khan, who is believed to retain full confidence in Sir Mark, will meet the Met chief today "to discuss community relations". The mayor said the handling of the incident was "concerning" and that officers "must have the confidence of the communities they serve".

Sir Mark is also expected to meet representatives of the Jewish community, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council, the Community Security Trust and the London Jewish Forum.

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