Republic Wrongly Wrangled? Met Face Further Criticism
The Met is in hot water again. Two months after Baroness Casey’s scolding review laid bare an establishment in desperate need of reform, they face investigation for the arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters. But what exactly happened?
The Coronation
For many, the coronation was cause for celebration. After 70 years of patiently waiting, Charles would finally be king. Bunting was liberally applied, BBQs caveated with weather concerns, and TVs tuned in to catch the outlandishly extravagant ceremony. However, not everyone shared the enthusiasm.
Republic, the UK’s leading anti-monarchy pressure group, saw no cause for patriotic flag waving. It argues that the Royal Family is an inherently unfair system, perpetuating elitist power, damaging our legitimacy on the world stage and diluting our democracy. You can read their full manifesto here.
Last weekend’s coronation was the perfect opportunity for Republic to express these sentiments. So, armed with placards, bright yellow t-shirts and megaphones, they descended on the procession route to exercise their inalienable right to protest.
What happened
Six Republic members, including CEO Graham Smith, were arrested early on Saturday. The reason was suspicion of them planning to ‘lock on’, a tactic popularised by Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.
The police did find straps, but there was little evidence Republic planned to hitch themselves to the King’s carriage, instead insisting they were there to secure placards. On the face of it, there seems little reason to doubt them.
In the four months leading up to the event, the anti-monarchy organisation had been in constant contact with the Met to ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted protest, making devious deception seems unlikely.
The six martyrs were arrested, held for sixteen hours, and bailed. Shortly after, their bail was quashed when it was revealed they would face no charges. The Met apologised to Graham Smith in person, returning his stolen straps, among other confiscated items. Rather than accepting this, Smith plans to pursue legal action.
The Outcome
The actions of the police were made possible thanks to the convenient passing of the Public Order Bill 2023, which received Royal assent just a few days prior. The legislation handed authorities further power to break up protests deemed to be disruptive.
One of the concerns of this bill and its predecessors was its pre-emptive nature leaving it open to abuse. Searches could be conducted on those suspected of planning disruption, with otherwise innocent items like bike locks and glue evidence for intent.
Exactly the overreach predicted seems to have happened. Either we witnessed overzealous use of novel powers or a genuine attempt to stifle dissent – neither of which is likely to garner the Met much goodwill.
Such has been the furore over the weekend's events that an inquiry has been announced. Chaired by Dame Diana Johnson, the cross-party panel of MPs will investigate what guidance and intelligence was given before the arrests and whether the decisions made were proportionate.
Should the Met be found to have abused powers only in their possession for five days, it will further fuel talk of reform and reignite the conversation on the government's alleged war on protest.
