We told how a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) outside the BBC’s headquarters in Portland Place has been prevented from going ahead this weekend, as the Met Police said it would breach conditions imposed under the Public Order Act.
Campaigners have said they are “determined” that the demonstration will still go ahead, as talks with the Met Police are set to take place on Tuesday.
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In the latest development, an independent MP has submitted an Early Day Motion in Westminster calling on the Met Police to drop restrictions and allow the march to take place.
Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell (below) submitted the motion – titled “Right to protest outside the BBC” – which has since been signed by MPs including independent MP Jeremy Corbyn, the SNP’s Brendan O’Hara, and Scottish Labour’s Brian Leishman.
The motion, which has gathered 13 signatures as of 12pm on Tuesday, states that the House is “alarmed” by the Met Police’s decision to revoke approval for the march, rejecting claims that the march could cause disruption to a nearby synagogue.
It adds that MPs believe “that the BBC is rightly accountable to the public and that police powers should not be used to shield it from democratic scrutiny”.
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Campaigners have criticised the BBC’s reporting on Gaza, as we told how the broadcaster issued more corrections for its coverage of Israel and Palestine than any other topic in 2024.
Ben Jamal, director of the PSC, accused the BBC of being “complicit” in Israel’s actions in Gaza, which has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023.
Since the demonstration was axed by the Met Police, more than 800 members of the British Jewish community have signed an open letter calling for the Met Police to reverse its “ban”.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said the new route advertised by campaigners was not the one which was originally approved in November, adding that it could cause disruption at a nearby synagogue – which campaigners say is not on the route.
The spokesperson added: “We imposed those conditions because we were satisfied, after carefully considering the evidence, that a demonstration forming up in the vicinity of a synagogue on a Saturday, when congregants would be attending Shabbat services, would cause serious disruption.
“Our assessment is that a demonstration ending and dispersing from the same place would have the same impact.
“Officers will be meeting with the PSC and other organisers [on Tuesday] to discuss the matter further.
“We are aware that our decision to impose conditions has been presented by some as us banning a demonstration at the BBC.
“This is not accurate. We recognise why the organisers wish to protest at the BBC and we have offered to work with them in considering alternative days of the week that wouldn’t result in disruption to Shabbat services.”