Next weekend, Independent MPs John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn will attend a central London police station under caution. This voluntary interview is part of the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of conditions imposed on a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The event, held over the past weekend, resulted in more than 50 arrests. Among those charged are high-profile figures such as Chris Nineham, a key organiser, and Piers Corbyn, Jeremy Corbyn’s brother. These individuals will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in the coming days.
A Disputed Narrative
According to the Met, tensions arose when protesters attempted to march from a static rally in Whitehall after plans to move the protest from Portland Place were blocked due to proximity to a synagogue and fears of disruption. A group allegedly forced its way through police lines towards Trafalgar Square.
The Met shared their account of events on X, claiming that a group of protestors “forced their way through police lines.” Jeremy Corbyn, however, has refuted this, stating, “This is not an accurate description of events at all. I was part of a delegation carrying flowers in memory of children in Gaza. The police facilitated this. We did not force our way through.”
Political Irony?
Critics have noted a perceived irony in McDonnell and Corbyn’s predicament. Some commentators have compared their current legal troubles to their prior public endorsements of law enforcement actions against far-right demonstrations last summer.
For many, the apparent turning of the tide illustrates a broader lesson: methods once cheered in silencing opponents are now being used against those who once benefited from them. The message is clear: draconian measures, justified as protecting society from extremism, often find broader applications, silencing dissent across the spectrum.
Lessons for Protesters
Seasoned protest participants would offer Corbyn and McDonnell some unsolicited advice: patience with law enforcement tends to wane after hours of confrontation. The perception of disruption—however exaggerated—often influences public opinion and legal outcomes.
As public sentiment shifts, McDonnell, Corbyn, and others face the system, they may have unwittingly supported in principle.
A Broader Context
This episode is a cautionary tale about the evolving application of legal measures against dissent. While sympathy for those embroiled in legal trouble might not be universal, the unfolding situation invites more profound reflection on the balance between protest rights and public order.
