The Metropolitan Police summoned former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell following their participation in a pro-Palestinian rally in central London last Saturday. The rally, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and coalition partners, drew thousands of participants but faced restrictions imposed by the police under the Public Order Act.
The Met is investigating what it described as a “coordinated effort” by the organisers to breach conditions limiting the protest to Whitehall. Corbyn, 75, and McDonnell, 73, voluntarily attended interviews at a police station in London. After leaving, neither commented to reporters.
The rally’s initial plans for a march from Portland Place were blocked due to police concerns over potential disruptions near a synagogue. However, a group of protesters broke through police lines to reach Trafalgar Square, where officers intervened.
Jeremy Corbyn disputed the police’s account, explaining on social media platform X that he was part of a delegation laying flowers in memory of children killed in Gaza, facilitated by the police. McDonnell supported Corbyn’s claims, stating, “We did not force our way through. The police allowed us to go through.”
The protest coincided with the announcement of a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas. Despite restrictions, the event marked one of the largest demonstrations in support of Palestine in recent months, with 77 arrests and dozens of participants still in custody.
Nine individuals, including Corbyn’s brother Piers Corbyn, face charges of public order offences and will appear in court soon. Three others, aged 75, 73, and 61, have agreed to be interviewed under criminal caution.
Corbyn and McDonnell, now independent MPs, have been vocal advocates for Palestinian rights. The rally is part of a series of demonstrations organised by the PSC since October 2023, with the police reporting this as the highest number of arrests at any such event so far.
