07 May 2023 , 12:59
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The head of an anti-monarchy group who was arrested on Coronation day has branded the detention of him and dozens of others a "direct attack on our democracy".
Republic chief executive Graham Smith was released last night after spending nearly 16 hours in police custody.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the Coronation.
In a statement on Sunday, Mr Smith said: "Yesterday, as we prepared for a peaceful and lawful protest, a number of Republic's team were arrested and detained for the rest of the day.
"These arrests are a direct attack on our democracy and the fundamental rights of every person in the country.
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Republic chief executive Graham Smith (pictured) was released last night (AP)"Each and every police officer involved on the ground should hang their heads in shame.
"They showed no judgment, no common sense and no basic decency. This was a heavy-handed action which had the appearance of a pre-determined arrest that would have occurred regardless of the evidence or our actions."
He said the right to protest peacefully in the UK "no longer exists".
It comes after Mr Smith criticised the force for saying it will "deal robustly" with anyone "undermining celebration" at the Coronation.
Speaking ahead of the planned protest, he told the Mirror: "Someone needs to tell them that you can't stop people from undermining celebration - you can only stop them from breaking the law.
An anti-monarchy protester being arrested in central London yesterday (PA)"We do not plan to undermine celebrations, but if people feel we are then that is not a criminal offence."
But Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer argued that police got the "balance right" between allowing protest and enjoyment of the King's Coronation.
She defended the Met after the force was heavily criticised by MPs and human rights groups over the arrests, denying that officers had gone too far.
The Cabinet minister told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: "What they have to do is balance the right to protest, which is important in a democracy. At the same time there's the right of all those other people to enjoy what was a fabulous day.
"I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right."
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Protesters and supporters in Trafalgar Square during the Coronation (Mark Thomas/REX/Shutterstock)She said it was right of the police to take into account the context of the event, as it took place on the world stage with hundreds of foreign dignitaries attending and had national security implications.
Under the controversial new Public Order Act, protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to "lock on" are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.
Asked whether she trusts the police to use the new laws, Ms Frazer said: "Yes, I do trust them to use those new powers.
"I have huge confidence in the police."
The new laws are intended to "redress the balance" after a recent change in demonstrators' tactics, she said.
A protester from climate protest group 'Just Stop Oil' is arrested by police officers (AFP via Getty Images)"We've seen in this country a rise in protests and the way people are protesting that is interfering with the rights of people to go around their daily life."
Metropolitan Police Commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard's actions, saying: "Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation."
The Met said they received information that protesters were "determined to disrupt" the coronation - including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.
The Liberal Democrats' deputy leader said she has "concerns" that the police may not have got the balance right in handling protests.
Just Stop Oil protesters are apprehended by police officers in the crowd yesterday (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)"Some of that information is unfolding. But, on the face of it, I do have concerns," Daisy Cooper told Ridge.
"What worries is me is that the Conservative Government have now increased these sort of wide-ranging powers ... what they haven't done is enshrined the sort of legal responsibility and the duty on the police to actually facilitate peaceful protest."
Labour frontbencher Wes Streeting said it is important for police to provide "accountability" over concerns raised about how demonstrators are treated.
"Where concerns have been raised, whether that's by Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, or people more generally just concerned about they've read in the papers or seen on the telly, it's important that the police provide that accountability," the shadow health secretary told the same programme.