Latest news with #PeterTatchell
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell ‘arrested for anti-Hamas sign'
The veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was arrested for carrying an anti-Hamas slogan during a pro-Palestine protest. The 73-year-old said the incident was 'yet another' example of the police 'abusing their powers to suppress freedom of expression'. Mr Tatchell, best known for his pioneering role in the gay rights movement, said he was detained at a march in London on May 17 while holding a sign that read: 'Stop Hamas executions.' He claimed that officers pulled him out of the march and told him the sign represented a 'racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace'. The Australian-born activist has been supporting the Palestinian cause for the past five decades. He said he attended the march as he wanted to support calls for a ceasefire while also calling out Hamas's execution of protesters and critics in Gaza. On the placard, Mr Tatchell highlighted the case of Odai Al-Rubai, a 22-year-old Gazan man who was beaten with metal bars before his body was dragged through the streets and dumped outside his family home. Mr Tatchell told The Telegraph that before his arrest a 'handful' of pro-Palestine protesters had confronted him over the sign in an 'aggressive, threatening and intimidating' manner. He said: 'Some people told me to f--- off, others called me Zionist scum, all while the police stood by and did nothing.' Mr Tatchell said he was later confronted by Metropolitan Police officers after Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards complained that he was chanting: 'Hamas are terrorists.' Mr Tatchell told the officers he was not chanting or using that phrase and pointed out that his sign read: 'Stop Israel Genocide! Stop Hamas Executions!' He said he was then accused of being part of a counter-protest despite making it clear to the officers he was in solidarity with the pro-Palestine marchers. Mr Tatchell said he was pulled out of the march and arrested on suspicion of a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Police 'abusing' their powers He was arrested and had his fingerprints, DNA sample and photograph taken, before being released after five and a half hours. Mr Tatchell said: 'This is another example of the way the police are abusing their powers to suppress freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest.' He added: 'The arresting officers must face disciplinary action. My arrest was a massive waste of police resources and taxpayers' money on trumped-up charges. 'Police allege that my placard was a 'racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace' and that I had violated a Section 14 order. That is nonsense. My placard made no mention of anyone's race or religion.' A Met Police spokesman said that Mr Tatchell had been arrested in 'error' and had been released without charge. The force said that officers had acted in 'good faith based on the information they had at the time' but it would review the handling of the incident. The spokesman added: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made. He will face no further action. 'We will review our handling of the incident to fully understand what took place.' A spokesperson for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said: 'PSC did not make any complaint to the police about Peter Tatchell and we are not aware of any of the stewards making a complaint to any police officer.'
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Activist Peter Tatchell claims protestors at pro-Palestine march called him 'Zionist scum' and accuses stewards of having him arrested 'for shouting anti-Hamas slogans'
Peter Tatchell yesterday accused stewards at a pro-Palestine march of using the police to 'silence' his criticism of Hamas. The veteran human rights activist was holding a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!' when he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police. Yesterday Scotland Yard admitted that the 73-year-old had been detained in 'error' at the march on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day (the anniversary of the displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war). He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas,' Mr Tatchell said. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' He added, 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was then arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. The Australian-born campaigner is known for his work spanning more than 50 years championing such causes as LGBT rights and social justice movements. He says he has been offered a knighthood three times, all of which he has turned down. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section... They said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A spokesman added: 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest... 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.'
The Independent
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
Activist Peter Tatchell has said stewards at a pro- Palestine march used the police to 'silence' his criticism of Hamas. The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' A spokesperson for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said: 'PSC did not make any complaint to the police about Peter Tatchell and we are not aware of any of the stewards making a complaint to any police officer.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.'
Western Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? Peter Tatchell Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made Metropolitan Police spokesperson The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.' The Palestine Solidarity Campaign was approached for comment.
Powys County Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Palestine campaign used police to silence my Hamas criticism
Activist Peter Tatchell has said stewards at a pro-Palestine march used the police to 'silence' his criticism of Hamas. The Metropolitan Police said the human rights campaigner was arrested in 'error' at a march in London on Saturday after 'concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest'. Mr Tatchell, 73, was taking part in a protest organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign to commemorate Nakba Day and was carrying a placard which read 'Stop Israel genocide! Stop Hamas executions!'. He said he had attended the protest to 'condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza, but also to expose Hamas's execution of Palestinian critics'. Mr Tatchell told the PA news agency: 'I find it shocking that the campaign, which I have supported for 54 years, would seek to use the police to silence my criticism of Hamas. 'My placard clearly condemned Israel's genocide and supported freedom for Palestine.' Discussing the protest, the activist said: 'Before the march started, I was abused, menaced and threatened by a minority of protesters. 'Some said 'f*** off', others said 'get out of here' and accused me of being 'Zionist scum'. 'Despite me being threatened, the police stood by and did nothing. I was frightened for my safety, but the police did not intervene.' Mr Tatchell said Palestine Solidarity Campaign stewards then wrongly told police that he had been shouting 'Hamas are terrorists', adding that officers told him shouting such a slogan 'was a potential criminal offence'. The activist said he was then approached by a police officer who wrongly believed him to be 'part of a counter protest' and was subsequently arrested for a racially and religiously aggravated breach of the peace under the Public Order Act. Mr Tatchell said: 'The police singled me out from all the hundreds of people marching in that section, they told me that I had to stop and when I asked why, they said they'd been requested to remove me by stewards from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. 'The Palestine Solidarity Campaign has questions to answer. Did they collude with the police to have me arrested and why do they refuse to tolerate criticism of Hamas by supporters of Palestine? 'It's outrageous that criticising Hamas's human rights abuses can get you arrested in Britain in 2025.' The Metropolitan Police said Mr Tatchell would face no further action and that it would review its 'handling of the incident to fully understand what took place'. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Mr Tatchell was initially detained after concerns were raised with officers by stewards from the Palestine Coalition protest. 'Officers spoke with him and, believing him to be a counter protester, directed him to join the counter protest in its designated area. 'When he attempted to rejoin the Palestine Coalition protest he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the conditions in place and to prevent a breach of the peace. 'While officers were acting in good faith based on the information they had received at the time, we now understand that Mr Tatchell was legitimately participating in the Palestine Coalition protest and was not in breach of any conditions. 'He was released from custody at the earliest opportunity once officers realised that an error had been made.'
