Corbyn and McDonnell to Face Police Interview Following Pro-Palestine March

Former Labour leaders interviewed by police after protest in central London; multiple arrests made for public order offences.

Jeremy Corbyn, the former leader of the UK Labour Party, and John McDonnell, the party’s former shadow chancellor, are set to be interviewed under caution by police following their participation in a pro-Palestine march in central London.

The protest, which took place on Saturday, was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) to express opposition to Israel's 15-month intervention in Gaza.

The Metropolitan Police reported that nine individuals have been charged with public order offences after demonstrators allegedly breached conditions set by the authorities.

The protest, initially planned as a march past prominent locations such as the BBC and a synagogue, was altered to a static rally due to police restrictions.

These conditions also limited access to certain areas.

The protest saw thousands of participants, with Corbyn and McDonnell joining the procession from Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, following speeches at the rally.

The Metropolitan Police disclosed on Saturday that 77 arrests had been made, marking the highest number for any of the more than 20 national PSC protests since October 2023.

The detentions included 65 individuals for breaching set conditions, five for public order offences, two for obstructing police duties, and others for supporting a proscribed organisation, inciting racial hatred, common assault, assault on an emergency worker, and sexual assault.

A 75-year-old man, believed to be Corbyn, and a 73-year-old man, thought to be McDonnell, were among those the police planned to interview on Sunday afternoon.

Both individuals, along with a 61-year-old man, reportedly agreed to the voluntary interview.

Scotland Yard stated that by Sunday, 24 individuals had been bailed while 48 remained in custody.

Those charged with public order offences include Christopher Nineham, vice-chair of the Stop the War Coalition and the march’s chief steward, along with Piers Corbyn, the 77-year-old brother of Jeremy Corbyn.

They are expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court.

The Metropolitan Police explained that conditions were imposed on the protest after considering the cumulative impact on Jewish communities in London, particularly concerning protests near synagogues on Saturdays, the Jewish holy day.

Police observed a coordinated effort to breach the conditions, including attempts to gather near a synagogue close to Portland Place.

Commander Adam Slonecki, who led the policing operations, commented on the events, stating that the protest showed a deliberate attempt by organisers to contravene the set conditions.

Despite police assertions, Corbyn and McDonnell disputed claims that the group 'forced its way through'.

In social media posts, Corbyn called for the release of police body camera footage, asserting that their delegation aimed solely to lay flowers in memory of children in Gaza.

Corbyn stated that their actions were coordinated with police, and they did not proceed beyond Trafalgar Square as initially suggested.