The comments made by John McDonnell, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, on 14 March 2021.
After watching shocking scenes of the police handling of a peaceful gathering of women in Clapham this evening, the Government’s attempt to rush through Parliament next week a significant increase in police powers over public demonstration and activities surely has to be resisted.
The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 14 March 2021.
Some of the footage circulating online from the vigil in Clapham is upsetting. I have asked the Metropolitan Police for a full report on what happened. My thoughts remain with Sarah’s family and friends at this terrible time.
The comments made by Alistair Carmichael, the Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland, on 14 March 2021.
Ed Davey is right – hard to see how there can be community confidence in the Met chief after this. That said, Cressida Dick resigning will not be enough on its own – she cannot be used as a human shield for Priti Patel. The problem is the policy and the policy comes from the top.
The comments made by Andy McDonald, the Shadow Spokesperson for Employment Rights and Protections, on 14 March 2021.
Remembering Sarah. Sad to see the scenes at Clapham. The Met have got this so badly wrong. Sensitivity and compassion were needed tonight not heavy handed Policing. #ReclaimtheStreets
The comments made by Shaun Bailey, the Conservative’s Party candidate to be London Mayor, on 14 March 2021.
If Sadiq Khan wasn’t involved in tonight’s operational decision making, given the significance of tonight’s vigil, he should have made sure he was. If he was involved – he has serious questions to answer.
The comments made by Andrew Rosindell, the Conservative MP for Romford, on 14 March 2021.
The scenes from the vigil in Clapham make for incredibly disturbing viewing. Why are some protests OK, but a vigil in memory a murdered woman not? The actions of the Metropolitan Police are misjudged and disproportionate. Tonight is the last straw. I am calling on Cressida Dick to resign.
The comments made by Anas Sarwar, the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, on 13 March 2021.
The scenes in London tonight are deeply distressing. No need for such a heavy-handed response, especially in the circumstances. Unacceptable. No woman should have to think twice before walking our streets, but the sad reality is too many do on a daily basis.
The comments made by Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative MP for Tonbridge and Malling, on 13 March 2021.
Today’s protests were legitimate expressions of outrage about violence against women by free citizens in a free country. The powers used against them echoed something different. We have been vaccinating to liberate and to use judgment at just such a moment. #WomensLivesMatter.
The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition, on 13 March 2021.
The scenes in Clapham this evening are deeply disturbing. Women came together to mourn Sarah Everard – they should have been able to do so peacefully.
I share their anger and upset at how this has been handled. This was not the way to police this protest.
The comments made by Toby Perkins, the Labour MP for Chesterfield, on 13 March 2021.
The scenes in London are appalling.
Police face very difficult job but they’ve got it hopelessly wrong.
This was a peaceful vigil and given the circumstances should have been policed far most sensitively.
This moment was about violence against women and that mustn’t be lost.