Met Police antisemitism row - live: Gideon Falter says police response ‘shambolic’ as Sunak backs Mark Rowley

Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), denies these claims

‘I was being treated like a criminal for being Jewish’

Gideon Falter has renewed his criticism of the Met Police, claiming he has not been offered a meeting with Sir Mark Rowley as the commissioner suggested.

Sir Rowley and London mayor Sadiq Khan met with members of London’s Jewish community, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust, earlier today.

In a statement, Mr Falter said: “Since the incident, the Met has issued and withdrawn a series of statements, some apologetic and some belligerent. There have also been suggestions in the media that the Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has offered to meet with me. No such meeting has been offered”.

“The Met’s response to this incident has been shambolic,” he added.

This comes as prime minister Rishi Sunak expressed his confidence in under-fire commissioner Sir Mark.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference this morning, Mr Sunak said: “What happened was clearly wrong. And it’s right that they’ve apologised for that.

“I do have confidence in him, but that’s on the basis that he works to rebuild the confidence and trust of not just the Jewish community, but the wider public, particularly people in London but more broadly,” he added.

Key Points

• Sir Mark Rowley will meet members of London’s Jewish community with mayor Sadiq Khan today to discuss ‘community relations'
• Gideon Falter: ‘I being treated like a criminal for being Jewish'
• More than 7,000 people sign petition calling for Sir Mark to be sacked

[22 April 2024 09:38 · Jabed Ahmed]

Gideon Falter: ‘I being treated like a criminal for being Jewish'

Gideon Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), who was told he would be arrested if he did not leave the vicinity of a Gaza protest, said he feels like he “being treated like a criminal for being Jewish”.

[22 April 2024 09:32 · Jabed Ahmed]

Welcome to our live coverage

Welcome to our live coverage.

The Met Police commissioner faces calls to quit over his forces handling of pro-Palestinian protests after an officer was filmed describing an antisemitism campaigner as “openly Jewish”.

Sir Mark Rowley will meet members of London’s Jewish community with mayor Sadiq Khan today to discuss “community relations”, and is expected to speak to representatives of organisations including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the London Jewish Forum and the Community Safety Trust.

Follow here for all the latest updates.

(PA Wire)