§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis indicating under what powers the picket of his Department called by "Black People Against War in the Gulf" on 20 February was cleared away by the Metropolitan police.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand from the Commissioner that, on 20 February, a demonstration organised by the Newham monitoring project took place between 4 am and 6 pm outside the Home Office, Queen Anne's gate. During the demonstration, a male leading the chanting started using a megaphone and, after refusing a warning to desist, was arrested.
A group of other demonstrators attempted to prevent the arrest and a scuffle broke out. To prevent further disorder, the sessional order made under section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 was invoked and the crowd dispersed. A total of 11 persons were arrested.