Mass arrests could be 'poll tax moment'. PM is warned

Freedom of speech row grows after Palestine Action protest

- KATE DEVLIN MILLIE COOKE

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a furious backlash against the arrest of hundreds of people during a protest over Palestine Action on Saturday and has been warned he is making a mistake of “poll tax proportions”.

MPs from across the political divide warned of an excessive use of counterterrorism powers that was riding roughshod over the right to peaceful protest, after it emerged that many of those held were aged over 60.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday that 532 arrests were made, including 522 for displaying an item in support of a proscribed organisation, at the march in central London over the weekend.

Civil liberties groups, including Amnesty and Liberty, said the arrests were “disproportionate to the point of absurdity” and that the government’s terrorism laws were a threat to freedom of expression.

Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti told The Independent the “proscription of Palestine Action is in danger of becoming a mistake of poll tax proportions” - a reference to Margaret Thatcher’s unpopular policy that triggered civil disobedience and riots.

She added: “The notable presence of so many older people highlights the strength of genuine feeling. Criminal damage at air force bases can be prosecuted, but sweeping guilt by association only exacerbates community tensions and creates a bigger headache for the police.” The 532 protesters detained on Saturday is thought to be the highest number of arrests made by the Metropolitan Police in a single protest event since the poll tax riot of 31 March 1990.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper defended the police but suggested those who were arrested may not “know the full nature of this organisation”. Her comment led to calls for the authorities to be more “clear cut” about why they proscribed Palestine Action last month.