Corbyn and McDonnell to Face Police Interview After Pro-Palestinian Rally Leads to 77 Arrests

Jan 19, 2025, 05:52 PM

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former shadow chancellor John McDonnell have agreed to be interviewed under caution by the Metropolitan Police following a pro-Palestinian rally in central London on Saturday. The rally, organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, resulted in 77 arrests, marking the highest number of arrests across more than 20 national protests since October 2023. The Metropolitan Police allege that the rally organizers made a coordinated effort to breach conditions imposed on the event, leading to the arrests. Both politicians, who now sit as independent MPs, have denied the police's claims, asserting that they were part of a delegation intending to lay flowers in memory of children killed in Gaza, and that this action was facilitated by the police. The police have charged ten individuals with public order offences, and 48 people remain in custody following the protest. The event was adjusted to be a static rally in Whitehall after police blocked plans for a march, and 24 people have been bailed.