POLICE will be taking “no further action” against the anti-monarchy campaigners who were arrested on the day of the coronation, according to the head of England’s leading republican campaign.
Graham Smith, the CEO of Republic, was arrested in central London on the morning of the coronation while unloading signs emblazoned with the slogan “Not My King” from a van.
After spending 16 hours in police custody Smith – along with several others – was released pending further investigation.
However, Smith announced on social media that the Metropolitan Police will be taking “no further action” against him or his fellow Republic protesters.
Threatening legal action, Smith said: “We have just been told that the police will be taking no further action.
“This has been a disgraceful episode and we will be speaking to lawyers about taking legal action.
“I also expect a full inquiry into why they repeatedly lied to us and who authorised the arrests.”
A total of 64 people were arrested in London during Saturday’s coronation, with 46 people being bailed on suspicion of causing a public nuisance or breach of the peace.
The former crime officially became law last week when the Public Order Act was rushed through by Westminster in time for the coronation.
Smith told PA News Agency: “The speed with which they did this demonstrates they were very quickly aware they had made a very serious error of judgment and there will be action taken again.
“I’m obviously relieved they dropped it so quickly but very angry they even went down this road, robbing people of their liberty for absolutely no reason.
“There was no evidence of any ability or intent to commit any offence and they simply decided to arrest us and that is outrageous.”
Earlier in the day, Rishi Sunak defended Scotland Yard’s operation and denied officers were acting under pressure from ministers.
He said: “The police are operationally independent of Government, they’ll make these decisions based on what they think is best.
“Actually, I’m grateful to the police and everyone who played a part in ensuring that this weekend has gone so well, so successfully and so safely, that was an extraordinary effort by so many people and I’m grateful to them for all their hard work.”
But Smith accused Scotland Yard of having “every intention” of arresting demonstrators and of having “lied” in discussions ahead of the planned protests.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he added: “They stopped us because the law [Public Order Act] was introduced, rushed in last week, to give them the powers to stop us on any flimsy pretext.
“That law means we no longer in this country have the right to protest, we only have the freedom to protest contingent on the permission of senior police officers and politicians and it’s my view that those senior police officers were under immense pressure from politicians.
“I understand the Labour Party said they wouldn’t repeal this law, which is pretty disgraceful if true, this law needs to be repealed.”
Indeed, when asked whether Labour would repeal the Public Order Act, MP David Lammy said that if his party wins the next General Election they can’t spend time “picking through all the Conservative legislation and repealing it.”
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
