People should not be stopped from going about their daily lives, a government minister told Sky News, following controversy over police handling of a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

The footage shows a Metropolitan Police officer stopping campaigner Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, from crossing a road near the march. london,

The officer said Mr Falter, who was wearing a kippah hat, was “openly Jewish” And he was “concerned about the reaction” to his appearance at the demonstration.

Mr Falter has since Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley asked to resign and accused the force of “blaming the victim” after the encounter.

extended footage The incident revealed that the officer accused Mr Falter of wanting to walk against the flow of the march and being “fraudulent” in his claim that he simply wanted to cross the road.

He offers the preacher safe passage to an isolated location which is rejected. As tensions rise and the officer raises his voice, Mr. Falter repeatedly tries to outwit him.

sir mark defended his officer’s actions during the April 13 incident, saying they were “professional”, while admitting that some of the words used during the conversation were “clumsy and offensive”.

Asked about the controversy, Illegal Immigration Minister Michael Tomlinson said he thought police had to do a “difficult job” at the protests but that the incident was “unacceptable”.

He told Sky News’ Kay Burley: “I don’t think any person of faith, whether you’re Jewish, whether you’re Muslim, whether you’re Christian, should be prevented from going about their daily lives.”

Mr Falter has since said he will attend the next pro-Palestine march and has encouraged other Jews and allies to join him.

Asked whether police should stop them, Mr Tomlinson said: “I don’t want to stop people going about their daily lives in London.”

Rowley defends officer in protest row

sir mark defended the actions of his officer, who he said would not be sanctioned and allowed to police protests again.

in an interview with the guardian newspaperHe said: “The sergeant at the scene clearly assessed that there was a risk of collision and was trying to help Mr Falter find a different route.

“I completely understand why the sergeant made this assessment. Some of the turns of phrase were clumsy and offensive… and we have apologized for that.

“The officer’s extensive actions and intentions were professional and in the best tradition of British police attempting to prevent disorder.”

met the police The commissioner said the officer was justified in stopping Mr Falter after fearing there would be a risk of violence or disorder if he made direct contact with the pro-Palestinian marchers.

Chief Secretary met Home Secretary

Sir Mark made the comments ahead of a meeting with the Home Secretary james cleverly on Monday.

After the meeting, Mr Cleverley said: “Jewish people will always have the right to be able to go about their daily lives safely and freely in London and across the UK.

“Sir Mark has reassured me that he will immediately make this clear to all sections of the community. The Met’s focus now is on providing reassurance, learning from what happened and ensuring that Jewish people are safe and feel safe in London “I support them in that important endeavor.”

Sir Mark also met the Mayor of London Sadiq KhanWho said he had “full confidence” in the commissioner – as well as Jewish community groups.

Read more:
Analysis: What next for Met police chief?
Review of the Met’s handling of Stephen Lawrence’s latest evidence

After the meeting, the Community Safety Trust said Met representatives reiterated their apology and agreed to “consult more closely” with the Jewish community “to ensure greater cultural sensitivity in future communications”.

The Met Police have apologized twice over the incident, issuing an initial statement and then regretting their first apology, which suggested opponents of the pro-Palestine march “should have been aware that their presence is provocative”. .