We honour our war dead once a year - the march can wait

Tory mayoral hopeful Susan Hall tells Ross Lydall why this is the one weekend protesters should stay at home, and how she'd tackle women's safety on the Tube and Ulez in her first days in office

- Ross Lydall

A PRO-PALESTINIAN protest in central London for Armistice Day should be banned, according to Tory mayoral candidate Susan Hall. She fears Saturday’s march, the latest in response to the Israel/Gaza war, has the potential to become a “tinderbox” — and criticised Sadiq Khan for being “silent” on the matter.

In an interview with the Standard, she made clear her concern for Jewish Londoners, in light of a rise in anti-Semitic incidents and “very intimidating” mass demonstrations in rail stations. She also refused to endorse Mr Khan’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying the Mayor should confine his remarks to London. “If he spent as long worrying about what was going on in London, as opposed to what is going on everywhere else, perhaps London wouldn’t be in the mess it is in now,” Ms Hall said . “Get everything all right in London then do what you like. But, first of all, for God’s sake, keep your nose out of everything else and just concentrate on London.”

Last night, Met commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the “potential for serious disorder” from the march did not meet the threshold for a ban. However, should the threat increase, then he was ready to submit a request to Home Secretary Suella Braverman.