"Kafkaesque": UK police threatened journalists with arrest during lockdown protest, forced one to send "odd" tweets

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."

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.

Reader Comments

Christian83 · 2020-11-12T20:03:59Z

"there is a public interest in keeping the population informed of the developing crisis".

So a protest is now a "developing crisis?" Yeah... to the MSM narrative.

"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.

Peaceful protests are not unlawful. Unless you have the same definition of "peaceful" as BLM.

Rowan Cocoan · 2020-11-12T20:58:01Z

UK, time to give the pigs some pain!

R.C.

ReRan · 2020-11-13T02:16:23Z

Does anyone know, has there been any acknowledgement from any politicians to the concerns raised by the protestors? Anywhere?

Joyly · 2020-11-13T03:00:50Z

A year ago we would not have imagined this is the world we live in now.

Rowan Cocoan · 2020-11-13T06:47:15Z

Joyly I've feared it forever - it's always been a question of when.

Of course, I've always been accused by those few who might pay attention to what I say, that I've 'always been saying the sky is going to fall'.

To which I've always replied, "I ain't forecast any dates yet.'

RC

Christian83 · 2020-11-13T10:35:18Z

Rowan Cocoan Who would of thought that the next mass extinction event, would not be from a comet strike, or nukes, or even a virus (natural). It would come from a very select few people, under the guise of health. And due to decades of poor diet, poor education etc most of the masses walked blindly into rolling up their sleeves.

Thanks Klaus/Bill/George etc.

Joyly · 2020-11-13T11:34:15Z

Christian83 It’s not too late for a comet, nukes or severe weather.

RC As you know I lived in fairy land so this was not on my radar. But it is predictable when you see man’s depravity on the world stage for the last 75 years. This is just the next step in that continuum.

Christian83 · 2020-11-13T12:22:15Z

Joyly Yep you're not wrong!

ReRan · 2020-11-13T13:46:25Z

Rowan Cocoan For about 20 years now, I have felt "something really big and horrible is coming". Others I know would say the same. It's now here.

Rowan Cocoan · 2020-11-13T15:13:05Z

Anyone know what the 'odd' tweets he was 'forced to send' were? (Color me skeptical. I well know how easily police can get one to "unwillingly accede"* to statements they otherwise never would.)

R.C.

*Theoretically, a contradiction in terms, but it's a fair descriptor - am reminded of the USPS employee who WaPo claims he 'retracted' his claims of vote backdating, and yet he denies it.

RC