Lockdown: Met apologises for arrest threats to journalists covering protest

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  • November 7, 2020
  • Comments Off on Lockdown: Met apologises for arrest threats to journalists covering protest
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Police showed ‘disregard of the the principles of a free media’, says Society of Editors






Police block off Oxford Street, London, to contain protesters on the march on Thursday.
Photograph: Niklas Halle’n/AFP/Getty Images

Scotland Yard has apologised after journalists and photographers covering an anti-lockdown protest were told to leave and threatened with arrest.

Journalists at the demonstration protesting the new national lockdown in England in Trafalgar Square on Thursday were reportedly told by officers they were not seen as essential workers and needed special permission from the Metropolitan police service (MPS) to be present.

The reported incidents took place as police clashed with protesters in the capital on the first day of the month-long second lockdown.

The Society of Editors (SoE) has written to the Home Office and Met seeking “urgent clarification” that photographers and journalists will be able to cover protests which take place under the new lockdown measures in England.

It said the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guidance stated journalists are covered as key workers and “there is a public interest in keeping the population informed of the developing crisis”.

Ian Murray, executive director of the SoE, said the reports were extremely concerning.

“At the very least this is poor communication to frontline officers of the ruling by government that journalists are considered to be essential workers during this crisis,” he said.

“At worst, this is an alarming disregard of the principles of a free media going about its lawful business.

“It is frighteningly Kafkaesque for police to use the excuse that because a protest is considered to be against the law, journalists are also breaking the law by being there to cover what is taking place.

“That sort of logic is used by tyrants and totalitarian states the world over to suppress the truth.”

In a statement sent to the SoE, and seen by the PA news agency, the Met apologised for “any confusion or difficulties” that were experienced covering the protests.

It added: “The MPS absolutely recognises the status of journalists and the public interest in them carrying out their important work.

“We apologise for any confusion or difficulties that some experienced whilst covering last night’s protests.

“These can be challenging events for all concerned; it is not always easy to differentiate journalists from participants since unlawful protests are by their nature often chaotic.

“We have issued additional briefings to our officers to enable journalists to carry out their work, at the same time as our officers maintain public safety and enforce the law.”


Arrests made at Million Mask March over Covid restrictions – video

Police have arrested 190 anti-lockdown protesters, with one potentially facing a £10,000 fine which can be given to organisers of large gatherings.

The other 189 are being investigated for breaching the new Covid-19 regulations which can be punished with a £200 fixed penalty notice, reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days, which doubles on every offence up to a maximum of £6,400.

In a video from the protest an officer can be seen asking journalists if they are authorised to work at the event and told them they were “part of the protest and there is no protest allowed”.

Other photographers reported showing accredited press cards but these were ignored, the SoE said.