Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has called for the resignation of the UK’s Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, after counter-protestors clashed with police in London. Braverman had previously referred to pro-Palestinian demonstrators as “hate marchers” and suggested that police were biased against right-wing marches. Yousaf accused Braverman of “fanning the flames of division” and claimed that her position was now “untenable”. Despite this, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he had “full confidence” in Braverman, and Downing Street has not altered its position since the row began.
Braverman’s claims about the police’s bias in allowing the march to go ahead has attracted widespread criticism and calls for her sacking. Pressure on Braverman increased when the Metropolitan Police confirmed that officers had faced “aggression” from counter-protestors ahead of a two-minute silence in Whitehall on Saturday. A large crowd of people carrying St George flags was seen walking along Embankment, shouting “England ’til I die”. Scuffles broke out as police attempted to prevent them from reaching the Cenotaph war memorial. Some protestors pushed through, with some shouting “let’s have them” as officers hit out with batons.
The Metropolitan Police posted on X that “officers have faced aggression from counter-protesters who are in the area in significant numbers.” It reiterated that it would use “all the powers and tactics available to us” to prevent the counter-protesters from confronting the main march. Mr Yousaf later took to X and claimed that Braverman had encouraged far-right protestors with her rhetoric. He stated that Braverman’s position was untenable and called for her resignation.
Meanwhile, thousands in Scotland have participated in pro-Palestinian marches throughout the country. Events have taken place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Forres, and Dumfries. Participants are calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza, although the UK government had previously described the timing of the marches as “provocative and disrespectful
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