Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman have faced criticism in an official report for their harsh condemnation of the Metropolitan Police’s management of pro-Palestinian protests.
The report, issued by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, largely clears the police of bias, affirming their impartiality in handling these events.
It warned that the criticisms from high-level politicians risk undermining public trust in the police’s neutrality, potentially harming the relationship between law enforcement and the public.
This report was commissioned by Braverman when she served as home secretary, amid claims by the Conservative government that the police were biased against right-wing groups and lenient toward left-wing causes.
However, the findings turned against Braverman, criticizing her actions. The report’s conclusions are seen as a victory for policing and a rebuke to the previous Conservative government, which had a strained relationship with law enforcement.
A significant portion of the report focuses on the events leading up to Armistice Day in November 2023. Conservatives had condemned a pro-Palestinian march scheduled the day before, anticipating counter-protests from far-right groups.
Just days before this tense weekend, Braverman wrote an article accusing the police of having double standards, being harsher on right-wing protesters, and fueling claims of “two-tier policing.”
Metropolitan Police leaders privately viewed Braverman’s comments as harmful, escalating tensions and inciting hostility toward officers who were already dealing with verbal and physical threats from far-right groups. Her remarks contributed to her later dismissal from office.
Sunak also criticized the Met after Gideon Falter, a prominent campaigner, was stopped during a pro-Palestinian march. However, television footage later suggested that the police acted reasonably.
The report advises that criticism before major events should be delivered privately. It emphasizes that politicians should be fully informed before making public statements that could negatively impact perceptions of police impartiality.
Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, confirmed that this part of the report referred to Sunak and Braverman, stating that their comments were “unfair.”
In another section, the report advises MPs and local councillors to be cautious when publicly criticizing or attempting to influence police decisions, particularly before major events like the 2023 Remembrance Day protests.
The report includes 22 recommendations, including clearer definitions of police operational independence and the roles of police leaders versus elected officials like police and crime commissioners (PCCs).
Privately, police leaders expressed concerns that some PCCs interfere too much in policing, while some politicians believe senior officers use operational independence to avoid accountability for poor decisions.
Cooke noted that the introduction of PCCs had made policing more political, stating that while operational independence is essential, there is a delicate balance between that and the need for democratic accountability.
He also suggested that the Equality Act needs revision to address modern challenges, citing an example of a genderfluid officer and the need for potentially two warrant cards to reflect different identities.
Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, stressed that policing must remain independent and free from undue political influence to ensure public safety.
A Home Office spokesperson welcomed the report and confirmed that they would work with the police to address its recommendations.
