Police accused of ‘totalitarian crackdown’ after anti-monarchist spends 16 hours in custody

Chief executive of the Republic campaign group remains in custody - despite organising rally with Met Police

The chief executive of an anti-monarchy group who was arrested on the day of the King’s coronation has been released, after critics accused police of enforcing a “totalitarian crackdown.”

Graham Smith was released after nearly 16 hours in police custody, while the majority of his Republic colleagues continued to be held.

After emerging at around 11pm on Saturday, Mr Smith said there was “no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK”.