Met Police pay £10,000 to woman arrested at Sarah Everard vigil

The Metropolitan Police has paid £10,000 to a woman arrested at a vigil for Sarah Everard.

Jennifer Edmonds was arrested on March 13, 2021, as she mourned the death of Everard at the hands of police Wayne Cousens.

Metropolitan police clashed with crowds during vigil for 33-year-old victim Coronavirus And some arrests were made.

Ms Edmonds was one of those arrested and was held overnight at a police station before being issued a penalty notice for breaching coronavirus regulations.

She refused to pay and was charged, but the charges were later dropped on August 8, 2022.

Ms Edmonds subsequently sued meet the policethis month police agreed to pay her £10,000 in compensation.

this This is not the first payment for the force This prompted widespread criticism in relation to its handling of the vigil.

Patsy Stevenson and Dania Al-Obeid were both arrested before receiving police compensation.

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A socially distanced event proposed by the Take Back These Streets initiative has been canceled after organizers were threatened with a £10,000 police fine.

However, people showed up throughout the day, including the then Duchess of Cambridge, and by evening hundreds of people had gathered and refused to leave when asked by police, leading to clashes.

Photos circulated of women handcuffed and lying on the ground, sparking outrage.

Ms Edmonds said: “While I am relieved that this matter is finally over, it comes three years after Sarah Everard’s death and also after I was called to protest for exercising my inalienable right to protest her murder. After nearly three years of being threatened with criminal charges, I also see the state further suppressing our collective freedom to assemble and demand change.”

She added that she would share the money with pro-Palestinian protesters.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police told Sky News: “The vigil is being held in exceptional circumstances, during the pandemic, when restrictions on gatherings are in place for very valid public health reasons, and is taking place after Sarah In the days after the most shocking murder ever.” Everard, by a serving Met police officer.

“The officer involved acted in good faith and interpreted complex and changing legislation in very challenging circumstances.

“They acted in a manner that was entirely consistent with the operational instructions given by their colleagues working in London at the time and the relevant command team.

“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services considered that their actions were appropriate and our professional standards team found no inappropriate conduct.

“The settlement agreement that has been reached does not change this position, and the Met has no intention of revisiting this position.

“A protracted legal dispute is not in the interests of either party and a mutual settlement has been reached.”