Scotland Yard made a whopping 64 arrests on coronation day, with 46 people bailed on suspicion of causing public nuisance or disturbing the peace. Four suspects now face charges, including one over a religiously aggravated public order offence and another for possession of class A drugs.
Protest Crackdown Sparks Fury
Graham Smith, head of the anti-monarchy Republic campaign, slammed the police for being out to “get” demonstrators. Detained himself on Saturday, he blasted the new Public Order Act, passed just last week, saying it makes protesting much harder by lowering the threshold for what counts as “serious disruption.”
Ministers Back Police Despite Outcry
Downing Street insisted the Met’s hands were tied. PM Rishi Sunak, volunteering at a coronation Big Help Out lunch, said police act “operationally independently” and make decisions based on what’s best on the ground.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer echoed that view, praising the force for striking the “right balance” during such a major “international event.”
Labour Skeptical but Cautious
Labour’s Andrew Gwynne called the Public Order Act “disproportionate” but stopped short of promising to scrap it if Labour wins power.
Rights and Safety in the Spotlight
The arrests have reignited fears the UK’s right to protest is under serious threat, with activists warning the new law might effectively kill off protests.
Adding fuel to the fire, women’s safety volunteers were among those arrested after rape alarms were seized — prompting Westminster City Council to raise alarm. Caroline Russell, chair of London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee, said the Met will be grilled about the “worrying” arrests in upcoming hearings.
