Thank you for your email about the events at Clapham Common on 13 March 2021. I am greatly troubled after watching footage of the events, and I am sure you will not be surprised that you are not the only person who contacted me about this issue.
As a starting point, like many across the country, I am deeply shocked and saddened by the developments in the most tragic case involving Sarah Everard. For a woman who was noted to be merely walking home from a friend’s house on a Wednesday night to be taken from the streets in such a way is utterly troubling. No one should feel threatened when they are walking along our streets. My thoughts continue to be with Sarah's family and loved ones at this devastating time and I was pleased that the Prime Minister has been clear that all the answers to this horrifying crime must be found.
Turning to the footage of the events on Saturday night, I note that the Home Secretary and Prime Minister spoke to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the events at Clapham Common. I am aware of the accounts from people who were on the Common on Saturday that have been played out on traditional and social media outlets. I must advise that I have seen footage that appears to show Police manhandling protestors which looks wholly inappropriate, while other images showing the crowd screaming a range of chants at the police such as “no justice no peace, “f**ck the Police” and items being hurled at the on duty Police, equally inappropriate.
Clearly a review must seek to understand what has taken place here. There are two contrasting narratives at play here so I am pleased that a comprehensive review has been announced and it is only right that the review is being undertaken in order establish what happened, who is accountable for what, and to ensure the right lessons are learnt. To judge too early without full sight of the facts would be wrong in my eyes.
I was pleased to raise concerns from constituents on this topic, including the reflections of constituents in Bosworth about the police, and the issues arising as part of my Urgent Question in the Chamber on Monday 15 March 2021 on this topic. Whilst the Home Secretary’s response was brief due to reasons of parliamentary time, I wanted to get my thoughts on the record, with my question as follows:
“I have been contacted by several constituents in Bosworth who are concerned about events over the weekend. On one hand some are concerned about the police’s conduct, and on the other hand are concerns about mass gatherings during a pandemic. What assessment has my right hon. Friend made about the fact that this is an operational issue for the Met, versus the fundamental framework of the law? Taking that forward, will she reassure my constituents that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will protect the rights of those protesting and the right of the police to be safe, but also set out the responsibility of those protesting not to cause “serious disruption”, and that of the police to act proportionately?”
These questions I believe are fundamental to the debate – rights versus responsibility, and therefore I do think that we face a difficult balancing act between the right to protest (the cornerstone to British traditions and democracy,) the need for the police to oversee a protest in a controlled but empathetic matter (especially in regard to this case,) and the public health realities of mass gatherings that we are facing in terms of a global pandemic (whether we like it or not, the consequences of this wretched virus are still here.) To achieve this: involves agencies coming together, honest discussions about issues arising, and the best strategic planning being made in difficult circumstances.
With the correct framework in place, operational independence but dialogue and understanding of each situation, I believe we can create an environment for responsible protests and gatherings, policed in a proportionate manner, and this should be our aim.
I note from the Urgent Statement that this report will hopefully be available in around two weeks’ time, and mindful of this triangular balance that I have presented to you, I will be interested to consider the recommendations of the report.
Finally, at the time of writing, the Prime Minister chaired the Criminal Justice Taskforce setting out immediate steps we are taking to provide further reassurance for women and girls and I am pleased to note important steps including the doubling of investment in our Safer Streets fund to £45m in order to provide better lighting and the greater use of CCTV in parks in addition to landmark legislation toughening up sentences and putting more people on the streets. I will keep across the Taskforce’s work with interest.
If you have a particular interest in the wider policy issues arising from women’s health and safety you may wish to engage with the following consultations, already 78,000 submissions have been sent in, and counting:
- Call for evidence on violence against women and girls:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg-call-for-evidence
- Women’s health strategy:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence
Thank you again for your email and I wish you well at this difficult time.