The London police chief’s attack on a journalist’s gear has sparked outrage. Watch the video and find out more about this controversial event.
Mark Rowley from the Metropolitan Police was questioned about the recent riots and the concept of “differential policing.”
After being confronted with a query regarding the inconsistent policing of riots related to immigration in various parts of the UK, a journalist had their microphone torn out by Britain’s highest-ranking law enforcement official.
On Monday, journalists approached Sir Mark Rowley of the Metropolitan Police Service as he left a government meeting in Westminster discussing how to manage the recent disturbances.
The Sky News reporter inquired, “Sir, will the two-tier policing come to an end?” Rowley replied by smashing his recording device and proceeding towards his car without interacting with any further queries from journalists.
Martin Brunt, the crime correspondent for Sky News, characterized Rowley’s behavior as an immature and irrational reaction to a valid inquiry.
“While it may have been a minor issue, the way people perceive things is important,” Brunt remarked. He noted that Rowley’s explanation of being in a rush was more of an excuse than a justification for his actions.
According to reports, the Sky journalist opted not to press charges against Rowley despite having the option of charging him with assault, criminal damage or misconduct in public office.
Protests and riots have erupted across numerous cities in Britain following a tragic incident last Monday. A British teenager with Rwandan heritage went on a mass stabbing rampage near Liverpool, killing three children and injuring ten more. Although initial anger was sparked by an erroneous assumption that the perpetrator was Muslim, demonstrations soon evolved into broader outcry against mass immigration, Islam as well as concerns over UK authorities prioritizing suppression of domestic dissent rather than tackling immigrant crime.
On Saturday, rioting occurred in Liverpool, Manchester, Stoke, Leeds and other cities resulting in the arrest of over 150 individuals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made a promise stating that those responsible for such actions will be subjected to “entirety” of legal consequences.
The actions taken by Whitehall to crackdown on recent events have led Reform Party leader Nigel Farage to question whether there is a “disparity in policing,” when compared with the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests that stemmed from George Floyd’s death in America.
“The existence of two-tier policing is not a concern. Policing should be carried out fairly and impartially, as it ought to be,” replied Starmer. “Therefore, this matter is insignificant.”
Starmer plans to send out a team of proficient officers to handle the riots. He firmly expressed that such activities do not fall under peaceful protests but are strictly violent, and any harm done towards mosques or Muslim communities will not be accepted in any way.
Social media companies that fail to remove “disinformation” will be held accountable by the British government.
