Questions raised by Met police raid on Quaker meeting house
I represent a non-Quaker spiritual group with a longstanding arrangement to meet twice a week at the Westminster Quaker meeting house in London, from which building six female members of a youth protest group were recently arrested by means of violent forced entry (Report, 30 March).
A symptom often felt by people who are burgled is that their personal space has been invaded. When those who commit violence are those whose role is to protect us, it is doubly shattering. We were not present when the forced entry took place, yet the manner of it leaves us with a feeling of devastation and destruction of so much of what we have created. Of course it will be argued that the invasion of the space was a necessary evil, but I have to state with force that what we now suffer is real hurt, whereas the prevention of resistance in London is harm as yet not done.
While I have plenty of sympathy with the impossible, and quite likely painful, decision made by the police, places of real quiet and sanctuary are deeply needed in our society, and their invasion cannot be passed off as a necessary evil. Violence is violence, whoever commits it, and there is real loss here, real suffering, and real grief.Colum HaywardBarnes, London
The fact that I am in the House of Lords is undoubtedly linked to attending a Quaker school for seven years, where the notions of public service, non-violence and a belief in community were a paramount theme running through school life and lessons. Quakers have been at the forefront of many radical changes for the better, such as abolition of slavery and prison reform. The Youth Demand members who were the subject of a police raid continue a tradition.
This Labour government must not continue down the repressive route of the last government. We must take the opportunity to roll back the excesses of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and the Public Order Act 2023. Sue MillerLiberal Democrat, House of Lords
I suggest that Youth Demand hold their next meeting in Canterbury Cathedral. The optics of the agents of the crown forcing their way into that place of worship might be too much, even in these benighted days.Alastair CameronEdinburgh
Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Belfast Telegraph
an hour ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Fire started and windows smashed at Larne Leisure Centre
live | Follow our blog for the latest updates Masked youths have attacked Larne Leisure Centre by smashing windows and setting fires in a third day of disorder. Social media posts have suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there earlier today. It is understood there is currently nobody inside the Leisure Centre. It comes as protestors have gathered in towns across Northern Ireland with some being peaceful, while others have turned violent. The initial rioting ignited in Ballymena with the PSNI saying it is 'not clear' if paramilitaries are coordinating violence in the Co Antrim town. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, speaking during a press conference today, said: "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it." Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is planning to visit Ballymena, it has been announced. Lady Anderson, speaking in the House of Lords today, said the Cabinet minister was having "active conversations" with both the Stormont administration and the PSNI. News Catch Up - Wednesday 11th June 2025 The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also condemned 'mindless attacks' during the outbreak of violence in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland. Seven people have been arrested and 33 PSNI officers were injured over two nights of what the PSNI Chief Constable has described as 'mindless violence'. Follow our live blog for the latest updates: 3 minutes ago Police Land Rovers arrive at Larne Leisure Centre Five police Land Rovers have arrived at the scene of the ongoing incident in Larne. Fire crews have been tasked to tackle the blaze that is understood to be currently contained to foyer of the leisure centre. Damage caused to a leisure centre in Larne amid protests Social media posts have suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there earlier today. 38 minutes ago Police are at the scene as a small crowd has gathered in Ballymena Kevin Scott on Twitter / X A ring of police around the Harryville Bridge and Clonavon areas of crowds around but all spectators; all peaceful. @BelTel Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) June 11, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 07:05 PM Several bus services suspended in Coleraine following reports of a protest Translink on Twitter / X #ULB Due to a protest in the area & buses not being able to access to the bus station #Coleraine 140a/b triangle services have been suspended.— Translink (@Translink_NI) June 11, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 06:03 PM A vandalised house in Ballymena is now displaying a 'British Household' sign in the window Today 05:39 PM MLA urges for political leadership amid reports of anti-immigration protest in Portadown Sinn Fein MLA John O'Dowd has called for all political representatives to show leadership and urge a boycott of an anti-immigration protest planned in Portadown this evening. A Sinn Fein spokesman said there are reports of a demonstration being organised with one flyer suggesting the protest will target several homes and a hostel in the area. 'Reports of a racist protest being organised in Portadown by faceless elements are deeply disturbing and disgraceful,' the Upper Bann MLA said. "I am calling on all politicians, particularly those with influence in the greater Portadown area, to distance themselves from this protest and to publicly encourage a boycott. 'Anything less would be a total abdication of leadership at a time when it is needed most. 'We have already seen the misery that racist thugs have inflicted on the people of Ballymena and elsewhere — those scenes must not be repeated in Portadown.' Today 05:08 PM Officers in north Belfast are investigating a number of reports of criminal damage and arson from yesterday evening Chief Inspector Mullan said: 'A number of homes and vehicles throughout the north of the city – in Buttermilk Loney, Silverstream Road, Woodvale Avenue and Oakley Street - were damaged with windows smashed. Also in Oakley Street, three properties sustained damage after a car was set alight. Shortly afterwards, in Silverstream Gardens, two vehicles were deliberately set alight, while a motorbike was destroyed in an arson attack in Florence Court. In Legann Street, another car was set alight and two houses had windows smashed. 'At this time, all incidents are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes. We absolutely condemn these disgraceful attacks on our minority ethnic friends and neighbours. Those responsible are endangering not only the lives of those inside the properties, but putting themselves at risk of injury. 'Our investigations are ongoing and local officers are working to identify all those involved in this incident. Make no mistake, we are treating these incidents exceptionally seriously. We will pursue those responsible and ensure they face justice through our courts. We will continue to engage closely with partner agencies and local advocacy groups as enquiries continue." Today 04:51 PM Filipino man's plea to rioters after car burned out in Ballymena violence 'We are not here to destroy your community': Filipino man's plea to rioters after car burned out in Ballymena violence A Filipino man who had his car burned out and home attacked during violence in Ballymena has pleaded with rioters to stop, telling them 'we are not here to destroy your community'. Today 04:35 PM Comment from Allison Morris on Ballymena violence There's no dressing up Ballymena violence, there is no, 'it is wrong but'… it is just racism In Exodus, God instructed the Israelites to mark their doorways with the blood of a sacrificed lamb so he would "pass over" their houses, sparing their firstborn sons, while striking down the firstborn of the Egyptians. Today 04:07 PM PSNI warn 'is rioting worth your future being put under threat?' ACC Ryan Henderson: "Let me say in the clearest possible terms, the senseless violence is utterly unacceptable, and as I see it serves, only to endanger and destroy our local area, our local communities. "And I want to appeal directly to those involved or considering becoming involved in the disorder to stop and think. Ask yourselves, is the hatred something you want to be associated with? Is this worth being prosecuted for? Is it worth your future being put under threat? Or indeed the future of your children? "Most importantly, please ask yourself, how are [these criminal acts] helping the ongoing criminal investigation in support of a young victim who deserves justice? This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family. " Today 04:03 PM 80 additional officers requested from Great Britain to help ACC Ryan Henderson said: "A significant policing operation, will be in place in Ballymena and beyond over the coming days. We're taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles, and equipment to those areas with the rioting is taking place. This will have an impact on our communities." Today 03:59 PM PSNI preparing for possibility of more violence tonight ACC Ryan Henderson said: "My nearly 30 years in policing makes me absolutely alert to the fact we could see more tonight and that's why we're preparing and planning for that. "But I don't want the communities of Northern Ireland to feel unsafe, nor do I want them to feel that I am saying that we will definitely see this tonight." Today 03:57 PM Police 'not clear' on whether paramilitary coordination to rioting ACC Ryan Henderson said: "You will see the power of social media connecting different parts of Northern Ireland in terms of the desire to protest, but also the desire to be violent and how that has been done. And we have seen that in a number of sites over the past couple of days. "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it. But I want to be very clear that if it does come out from our investigations I'll not be slow or shy in attributing blame to those who are involved. " Today 03:53 PM PSNI press conference In a PSNI press conference today Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised officers who have dealt with two days of rioting in Ballymena. He said: "32 officers have now been injured over the last two nights of rioting. And I want to say publicly my admiration for the bravery and professionalism of those officers that they showed when dealing with the challenges and the violence they had to face." Today 03:40 PM NI Secretary hoping to visit Ballymena Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn hopes to visit Ballymena in the coming days, according to Lady Anderson. She also said the Cabinet minister was having "active conversations" with both the Stormont administration and the PSNI. Lady Anderson told peers that the region's Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was in the process of submitting a request through the mutual aid scheme to support current police policing operations. Today 03:33 PM Government minister says communities left 'very scared' following violence in NI A Government minister has said her thoughts are with communities in Northern Ireland who have been left "very scared" after two nights of violence in which a number of police officers have been injured. Responding to an urgent question in Parliament, Lords spokesperson for Northern Ireland Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent said: "The recent scenes of civil disorder which we have seen in Ballymena have no place in Northern Ireland. "The attacks on police officers as they work to keep people safe and on property are wholly unacceptable. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Ireland ambulance service, who have worked in difficult conditions over the past few days to keep people safe. "My thoughts and prayers are with those officers still receiving treatment, and with the communities across Northern Ireland who woke up this morning very scared." Today 02:41 PM Policing Board members thank PSNI and emergency services for efforts in 'face of vicious attack' Policing Board Members today attended a specially convened briefing to receive an update from the PSNI on the policing response to the violence and disorder in Ballymena and other areas of Northern Ireland. Members were briefed on policing operations and challenges following violence. Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma said: "Our thoughts are with the victim of this assault and their family. "Measures now being taken by the police to reassure the victims of the violence, and the wider community affected, were outlined and discussed." He added: "Board Members also heard about the ferocity of the violence directed at police officers and the police command decisions to deploy water cannon and baton rounds were explained. "We thank all the police officers, and emergency service colleagues, for their work in the face of vicious attack, and trust all 32 officers injured will make a full recovery." Ms Sharma said the board condemns acts of "wanton violence against people, police and property". He added: "Such violence and racism has no place in our community. The widespread calls for calm, in tandem with condemnation of the disorder and support for policing from political leaders and others, are welcomed. "Policing needs the continued support through political and community leadership to bring this violence to an end." Today 01:44 PM Deputy First Minister says violent demonstrations 'serve no purpose whatsoever' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly says violence in Ballymena is "serving no purpose whatsover, but risk criminal convictions of young people". The Deputy First Minister added that the family of the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena have been "very clear" that they did not want violence following a peaceful demonstrations on Monday night. "At the heart of this initial protest was a victim, a young girl." "But then of course that [demonstration] turned into something very, very different, the family have been clear, they don't want that violence." Today 01:38 PM First Minister: Recent violence 'pure racism' Speaking at a joint press conference, First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned recent violent demonstrations as "pure racism", saying "It's pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up." "We can't dress this up, this is racism in Ballymena, and we have to say that this is not tolerated in this society". "It's wrong - we have to say that it's wrong and all political leaders need to join together in calling for calm." First Minister Michelle O'Neill Today 01:02 PM Local Council on unrest: 'It needs to stop now' Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have condemned the unrest of the past two nights in Ballymena, saying the incidents have "brought fear and distress to so many people and blighted our local community." The Council also called for an end to the violence, urging anyone considering getting involved in demonstrations to think again. 'It needs to stop now. These are not protests, they are a disguise for violence and vandalism and will not be tolerated. 'Ballymena is a thriving town with a wonderful mix of people, businesses and communities. What is being broadcast across the world is not representative of the town or its people. 'Comprehensive plans are in place by the police to prepare for and deal with any further disorder. We would strongly urge anyone considering attending any gatherings to think again - stay at home, do not stand side-by-side with rioters, and think of your community."
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Ballymena riots are start of civil war – UK should brace for summer of torched cars & smashed windows & gov know it
WE are sliding, dangerously, towards a civil war. I hadn't thought it would come to this. I got that wrong. 7 7 7 For two nights there has been mass rioting in Ballymena in Northern Ireland. Hundreds of (largely) young men in balaclavas attacking the police, local businesses and any foreigner they can get their hands on. More than 30 police officers have been injured. And the riots have spread — to Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and the capital Belfast. Of course, they have something in common with those riots we saw in mainland Britain last year. Hundreds took to the streets to complain about the sheer numbers of asylum seekers deposited in their towns. They caused mayhem. And the Government responded by bending the law to get them shoved in prison as soon as possible. Even those who weren't actually taking part in the demos, just posting about them from their homes. That unjust and heavy-handed approach from the Government — and which led to the nickname Two-Tier Keir — showed they knew that trouble was just below the surface. You can only stretch the patience of the people so far. And then it snaps back and really hurts. In a sense, the riots are a kind of mirror image of those we are seeing every night in Los Angeles. Except that in the case of California, it is immigrants and their supporters doing the rioting because they do not want to be kicked out of the country. The cause, then, is the same. Immigration. Far too much of it. So much that it changes the culture of our towns and cities. And we end up feeling, as Starmer put it, living on an island of strangers. Nobody in the UK voted for any of this. Nobody went down the ballot box and thought: Yep, I think we need a whole bunch of new immigrants. As many as we can get. Especially those immigrants who can't speak English, don't understand our way of life and have no intention of integrating. Riots hit NI AGAIN as petrol bombs & bricks thrown at cops & water cannon used after homes burned in 'racist thuggery' Nobody voted for that. And yet over the past 25 years that's what we have got. Since 2000, the population of the UK has increased by ten million — much of it the consequence of immigration. It has been an epic disaster. And it means that after decades of getting along OK with the limited numbers coming in, now all bets are off. Because it has been a case of far, far too many. Far too quickly. The Ballymena riots were in response to allegations of the attempted rape of a young local girl, for which two Romanian teens have been charged — although several other nationalities have been caught up in the backlash. Pretty similar to what happened here last summer. But that's not the root cause of the issue. Remedy is simple The real cause is successive governments which have allowed — and in both parties' cases — encouraged more and more migrants to flood into the country. The remedy is very simple. Call for a moratorium on immigration right now. No more in. You could adapt the phrase 'Net Zero' for this policy. The first time ordinary members of the public will chant it with pleasure. Because the way things are going, this is going to be the summer of torched cars, smashed windows and thuggery. And the Government cannot say that it has not been warned. WHERE IS THE PRIDE? 7 LOOKING forward to the World Cup next year? No, me neither. I don't think I have ever witnessed a worse England performance than in that defeat to Senegal. They swanned about, passing it back, passing it further back, boring the arse off the crowd. They tried playing it out from the back. And Senegal were on to them every time. They didn't even attempt to press the Africans when they were in possession. Just lolled around. Not a moment of wit or brilliance – and we are supposed to be No4 in the world? You must be joking. Senegal deserved their victory and in truth it could have been five. I know it's the end of a long season. I know it was just a friendly. But do they not have any pride in pulling on that shirt? GRETA STILL A MISERY WHAT was that Swedish Doom Goblin (SDG) trying to prove? Greta Thunberg set off for Gaza in a boat with a load of pro- Hamas supporters. She was caught by the Israelis and kicked out, told never to return. What did this achieve, other than giving the SDG more publicity? And the chance to do a bit of virtue signalling in front of the usual keffiyeh-bedecked idiots? Sheesh, she was irritating enough when she was 14 and screaming 'How dare you!' at anyone filling their car up with petrol. But she's morphed into the role of Most Annoying Woman on Planet Earth. Can't the Swedes ban her from leaving the country, or something? GOT yer Brazilian Bum Bum Cream yet? Hurry, hurry. The yellow gunk is only about 50 quid a jar. And guess what 'flavour' it is? Yup, pistachio. Everything these days is pistachio. I've seen pistachio paint (used to be called 'green'). And pistachio perfume. Then there is pistachio-flavoured ' Dubai Chocolate ' at 14 quid a bar. And now you can rub the great taste of pistachio on your arse, too. Me? I think it's all . . . nuts. JUDGES FAILING A GUTTER thug called James Higginson killed his girlfriend's two kittens. Neighbours could hear the cries of distress as he bludgeoned them to death. Shouting, 'How do you like this, stupid bitch?' He tried to kill a third but the creature was rescued by the RSPCA. And so what happened in court? A suspended sentence. The halfwit of a judge, Patrick Mason, decided he shouldn't go to jail. Because he had been suffering from mental health issues. As ever. When are our courts going to take cruelty to animals seriously? And understand that people who are capable of hurting animals will soon move on to hurting humans? EXISTENCE OF GOD MAKES HOLE LOT MORE SENSE SOME physicists believe we may be living in the middle of an extremely large black hole. I suppose that might explain how my hair looks first thing in the morning. And why I can't raise the energy to get out of bed. It's not utter laziness. I'm just pinned to my bed by an infinite chunk of gravity. Thing is, the more I read the increasingly bizarre explanations for the existence of the universe from quantum scientists, the more I'm tempted to believe in the existence of a chap with a long white beard deciding everything. Multiverses? Or we are all in a giant simulation, a kind of mash-up of Grand Theft Auto and World Of Warcraft? Or we're actually living in a black hole? What seems more probable to you – those ideas, or God? SO, another £30billion to be poured down the gaping, ravenous maw of the NHS. Do you think things will get better? And meanwhile, the Government does a U-turn on winter fuel payments. And Rachel Reeves cannot even bring herself to apologise for having scrapped it in the first place. She says the economy is better now. So she can afford the payments. What drivel. The economy is WORSE than it was when Reeves cut those payments. She got it wrong, simples. And doesn't have the character to admit it. ED, IT'S A START THE Government has at last approved funding for Sizewell C nuclear plant. It should have been built the best part of 40 years ago. But nuclear reactors are expensive. And the anti-nuclear lobby very loud. We need Sizewell C because relying on wind power is dangerous. You can't guarantee when the wind is going to blow. Nor, indeed, if it will blow too hard for the turbines. A few more decisions like this and Ed Net Zero Miliband will almost be on the verge of joining the real world.
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Additional funding will avoid public services cliff-edge, says O'Dowd
Mr O'Dowd said he had reached an agreement with the Treasury over an additional £600 million to support public services in the region. He said it brought the total extra funding provided for the region to £1.3 billion. Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said the Northern Ireland Executive will 'receive the largest real-term settlement since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement' following the Government's spending review. He added: 'The Executive will be receiving over 24% more per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the United Kingdom. 'That means the Executive will be receiving £19.3 billion per year on average between 2026-27 and 2028-29 with an average extra £1.2 billion through the Barnett formula per year, made up of £1 billion of day-to-day spending and £220 million of capital for that four-year period.' Mr Jones said there would also be additional funding of £137 million over three years to tackle paramilitarism and organised crime, £11 million over three years to fund community development projects, £310 million over four years for city and growth deals and £185 million over three years for public service transformation and £2 million for integrated education. Mr O'Dowd said agreement had been reached with the Treasury after months of negotiations. He said: 'It will deliver an additional £600 million of funding provided for vital public services here. 'This will enable the Executive to take a long-term strategic approach to public service delivery. 'It helps avoid the potential cliff-edge in public funding that could have occurred when the restoration financial package comes to an end and the resulting damage this would have done to frontline public services.' Mr O'Dowd said the Treasury had agreed to exclude £329 million of agriculture funding from the relative funding calculation for Northern Ireland. He said: 'Without this agreement the Executive would have received £600 million less in funding over the spending review period. 'The agreement we have reached with Treasury will see us funded above 124% excluding agriculture between 2026-27 and 2028-29. 'The inclusion of agriculture and non-Barnett funding increases this to 128%.' Mr O'Dowd added: 'Since taking up the role of Finance Minister I have consistently said I would do everything in my power to ensure our public services are fairly and properly funded. 'This agreement will see £600 million more for public services over the spending review period, providing additional investment in the services that we all rely on and delivers on my commitment to support workers, families and communities.' People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the spending review had failed to deliver for working people in Northern Ireland. He said: 'Once again, the British government has shown that its economic agenda is incapable of delivering for ordinary people.'
