https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9509243/Priti-Patel-blasts-thugs-pelted-police-missiles-anti-Covid-passport-march.htmlPriti Patel blasts ‘senseless thugs’ who pelted police with missiles and bottles leaving eight officers injured during anti-Covid passport march in London
Home Secretary announced plans to double sentence for those convicted of assaulting an emergency worker
Demonstrators made their way through the capital yesterday as they waved placards daubed with slogans
The crowds did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines and were not wearing face masks
Protest comes amid discussions over Covid-status certificates being considered by ministers to open society
Britain's equalities watchdog has also warned the Government that the 'vaccine passports' could be unlawful
By Katie Feehan and Raven Saunt For Mailonline
Published: 13:12, 25 April 2021 | Updated: 13:16, 25 April 2021
Priti Patel his blasted the 'senseless thugs' who pelted police with missiles and bottles leaving eight officers injured during an anti-Covid passport march in London. The Home Secretary has said she plans to double the sentence for assaulting emergency workers after pictures showed bloodied police officers confront protestors in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon. Expressing her frustration on Twitter, Priti Patel wrote: 'Our brave police are the best of us and should not be the target of senseless violence by a criminal minority for just doing their job. I am getting tough on these thugs and will be doubling the sentence for assault of an emergency worker. I wish the officers a speedy recovery.'
Eight officers were injured as protesters bombarded police with missiles and bottles while thousands of anti-vaccine passport activists marched through London. TV presenter Beverly Turner and London Mayor candidates Piers Corbyn and Laurence Fox joined thousands of activists in a 'Unite for Freedom' protest to demand a ban on vaccine passports. Demonstrators hurled bottles as officers attempted to disperse the crowds in Hyde Park on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said. Photographs posted on social media show a female police officer bleeding from a cut to her head, while another suffered a similar wound on his forehead. A Met Police spokesman said two officers were taken to hospital after protesters turned violent last night. They added: 'Eight officers were injured as they worked to disperse crowds in Hyde Park this evening. Missiles including bottles were thrown in small pockets of disorder. Two officers were taken to hospital. Thankfully, they are not believed to be seriously injured.'
Five people were arrested for offences including assault on police and remain in custody. Demonstrators made their way through the capital earlier yesterday as they waved banners and placards daubed with a range of slogans including 'no new normal' and 'no health passport'. The crowds did not appear to be adhering to social distancing guidelines and were not wearing face masks. Two other arrests were made earlier in the day as a 38-year-old was taken into custody at 3.20pm near Embankment on suspicion of a public order offence. At 4.40pm a 37-year-old man was arrested near Trafalgar Square on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and a public order offence. The protest comes amid discussions over 'Covid-status certificates' being considered by ministers to help open up society, get people back into work or away on holiday despite concerns from Boris Johnson's own MPs that they will be 'intrusive, costly and unnecessary'.
As footage emerged showing thousands of placard-wielding protesters take to the streets of London, emergency service workers shared their disappointment online. John Apter, a serving police officer, tweeted: 'Thoughts are with my @metpoliceuk colleagues who really are that thin blue line in Hyde Park tonight. Facing provocation, missiles being thrown, cameras being stuffed in their faces and more. People who criticise them from their armchairs wouldn't last one minute in their shoes.'
John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, continued: 'These officers are just doing a job, they're somebody's son, daughter they're mums and dads. To be targeted in the way they are says a lot about the society we've become. I will continue to do my best to support them but I need Government to do more, much more.'
And Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden wrote: 'I'll be honest as an ICU doctor this actually makes me want to cry. A gut punch for NHS staff everywhere tonight. I'm gutted. The thing that tears me up about this is we have been coming out of lockdown slowly to prevent a third wave and further lockdowns. This kind of selfish behaviour risks not only everyone's safety but further lockdowns. NHS staff are still living through the trauma of the last year. This is a slap in face for all us and for everyone who has lost friends, colleagues and family members. Why can't these people just go and have a beer in a nice pub garden?'
Demonstrators held banners with messages such as: 'Covid-19 Vaccine Holocaust', and: 'No To Vaccine Passports.'
Another banner read: 'You don't need proof to know truth.'
Earlier this month, Britain's equalities watchdog warned the Government that vaccine passports could be unlawful, create a 'two-tier society' and discriminate against migrants, ethnic minorities and the poor. It comes as the Government said there had been a further 2,061 lab-confirmed cases in the UK a drop of 7 per cent compared to last week's figure of 2,206. In further good news, only 32 new deaths from the disease were recorded an eight per cent drop on last Saturday's figure of 35. And NHS England data up to April 23 shows that of the 38,189,536 total doses given in England so far, 28,102,852 were first doses a rise of 107,656 on the previous day. The supporters of the anti-vaccine passport movement are protesting against new COVID-19 measures including what they call 'coerced vaccinations'. Among the group were a host of famous faces including TV presenter Beverly Turner as well as London Mayor candidates Piers Corbyn and Laurence Fox. The Metropolitan Police took to Twitter earlier in the day with a series of posts that read: 'We have a policing operation in central London today as a result of a number of demonstrations. Anyone coming into London for a protest must make sure their gathering is lawful, with a risk assessment carried out by the organiser. See below our open letter on public gatherings. Officers are on site and are engaging with those taking part.'
The protest is in response to 'Covid-status certificates' being considered by ministers to help open up society, get people back into work or away on holiday despite concerns from Boris Johnson's own MPs that they will be 'intrusive, costly and unnecessary'.
Recent polling has found the majority of Britons back their use especially for foreign holidays but there are wider concerns that they could be used in every facet of life including to get on public transport, into shops, pubs and restaurants. Earlier this month, the Equality and Human Rights Commission piled pressure on the PM and told the Cabinet Office that while they are a 'proportionate' way of easing restrictions, they could also exclude people from everyday life. And they warned that a 'no jab, no job' policy could be illegal before the entire population is offered a jab, while plans to force all care workers to be vaccinated could also be subject to a legal challenge. The EHRC's submission, seen by the Guardian, says they could cause 'indirect discrimination', citing recent migrants to the UK, people from black and minority ethnic groups or those from poorer backgrounds. 'There is a risk of unlawful discrimination if decisions taken in this process disadvantage people with protected characteristics who have not received, or are not able to receive, the vaccine, unless they can be shown to be justified,' it said.
Lockdown restrictions in England began easing on April 12 which allowed pubs and restaurants to reopen outdoor seating areas. The move also paved the way for retail, gyms and beauty salons to reopen.
