The controversy surrounding UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s comments on pro-Palestinian demonstrators has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for her resignation. Braverman’s labeling of the protesters as “hate marchers” and her accusatory tone towards the police have been widely criticized, with Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, describing her actions as “whip[ping] up division, set[ting] the British people against one another and sow[ing] the seeds of hatred and distrust”. The incident has also led to a rise in far-right violence, with nine officers injured as they attempted to prevent a crowd of mainly football hooligans from reaching the Cenotaph.
The controversy has not only embarrassed the UK government but also undermined the country’s values and principles, according to Starmer. He noted that Braverman’s language has “done more recently to whip up division, set the British people against one another and sow the seeds of hatred and distrust than anyone else in public life”. The Labour leader also criticized the government’s attempts to brand protesters they do not agree with as extremists, describing it as a “sign of ministers’ cowardice”.
The row has also sparked divisions within the Conservative party, with some members defending Braverman’s comments while others have called for her resignation. The Home Secretary remains under pressure, with her position described as “untenable” by Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf. The campaign group Hope Not Hate has also demanded her resignation, accusing her of “inflaming tensions and whipping up the far right into a violent frenzy”.
UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman (Via Suella Braverman/Twitter)
The controversy has also led to a backlash against the UK government, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan urging the government to take a stand against the far-right. Khan tweeted: “The far right have clearly been encouraged and emboldened by what they have heard this week, including from senior politicians like the Home Secretary”. The Mayor also condemned the violence and aggression towards the police, saying: “Hate will never win. We must stand together: it’s what London does best”.
The incident has also highlights the broader issue of far-right extremism and the need for the government to take a strong stance against it. The UK government has been accused of being Soft on the far-right and allowing them to spread hate speech and incite violence. The row has also raised questions over the government’s handling of protests and policing, with many calling for a more nuanced approach that balances the rights of protesters with the need to maintain public safety.
