Sunak accused of 'posturing' as he concedes Armistice Day march can go ahead

Rishi Sunak has been accused of "silly puffed-up posturing" by senior Tories after being forced to concede at the 11th hour that a pro-Palestine march planned for Armistice Day will go ahead.

- Daniel Boffey , Rajeev Syal , Vikram Dodd

For days minsters have insisted that the march through central London should not proceed out of respect for commemorations being held on 11 November.

The prime minister continued yesterday to describe the plans as "disrespectful" but conceded after a meeting with the Met police commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, that those who wished to take to the streets had a "right to peacefully protest".

Despite huge political pressure, Rowley had announced on Tuesday that he could not lawfully justify banning the planned march.

In a statement issued after a hastily arranged meeting with Rowley yesterday afternoon, Sunak sought to portray his acceptance of the Met chief's decision as a principled one.

He said: "This weekend people around the UK will come together in quiet reflection to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

"It is because that sacrifice is so immense that Saturday's planned protest is not just disrespectful but offends our heartfelt gratitude to the memory of those who gave so much so that we may live in freedom and peace today.

"But part of that freedom is the right to peacefully protest. And the test of that freedom is whether our commitment to it can survive the discomfort and frustration of those who seek to use it, even if we disagree with them. We will meet that test and remain true to our principles."