Sarah Everard vigil latest – Priti Patel launches 'full' investigation into video of heavy-handed cops arresting women
PRITI Patel today announced a "full review" of police behaviour during unrest at Saturday's Sarah Everard vigil.
Video from the scene showed heavy-handed cops drag tearful women away from a candle-lit shrine during ugly clashes on Clapham Common.
Speaking about the 'upsetting' footage, the Home Secretary today said "while the police are rightfully operationally independent, I asked the Metropolitan Police for a report into what had happened.
"This government backs our police in fighting crime and keeping the public safe… But in the interest of providing greater assurance, and ensuring public confidence, I have asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to conduct a full independent lessons learned review."
Boris Johnson today lent his support to under-fire Met Police chief Dame Cressida Dick despite the "very distressing" scenes.
He told reporters in Coventry: "The police do have a very, very difficult job.
"But there's no question that the scenes that we saw were very distressing and so it is right that Tom Winsor, the inspector of constabulary, should do a full report into it.
"I think people have got to have confidence in the police and Tom's going to look at that."
Mr Johnson said society and the Government needed to ensure that women's complaints about violence are properly heard.
Follow our live blog below for the latest developments in the story…
- Debbie White
EX-PM 'PRAYERS FOR SARAH'S FAMILY'
Ex-PM Theresa May today urged ministers to recognise that legislation is not enough to eradicate violence against women and girls.
She told the Commons: "(Priti Patel) is right to remind us that behind the events of Saturday lies the tragic death of Sarah Everard, a bright young woman dearly loved by her family and friends and I join (Ms Patel) and other members of this House in saying that my thoughts and prayers are with Sarah's family and friends at this time.
"We want justice for Sarah, we also want women to be able to feel and be safe on our streets and in their homes. So does (Ms Patel) agree that we must redouble our efforts to make sure that the Government's excellent Domestic Abuse Bill reaches the statute book as anticipated next month.
"But also recognise that legislation is not enough and that if we are going to eradicate violence against women and girls, we need a change of attitudes and that is about dealing with perpetrators, changing their behaviour, but also teaching young men and boys about respect for women and about what is or is not acceptable in a relationship."
Priti Patel responded: "I would just like to very much pay tribute to (Mrs May) for her comments and her work and leadership, no question, around domestic abuse but violence against women and girls."
- Debbie White
HUNDREDS OF WOMEN LEAVE TRIBUTES TO SARAH EVERARD AT CLAPHAM COMMON
Hundreds of women have left floral tributes in the park near to the route Sarah Everard walked before she went missing.
Throughout Monday, mourners arrived from across the capital to leave flowers and cards on the bandstand at Clapham Common, south London, two days after police officers clashed with the crowds which gathered there to remember the 33-year-old marketing executive in a candlelit vigil.
Joanne Beaney, 37, who went there from north-west London with her 13-month-old daughter Kitty to lay a bouquet, said she had found the news about Miss Everard's death particularly upsetting as a mother.
She said: "I feel like the news about when she went missing was just so upsetting, because you just feel like it could have been any one of us."
Verity Mullan-Wilkinson, a 29-year-old actor from West Yorkshire, went from Hackney in east London to lay flowers and a card, explained that "coming down here seemed like the right way to pay respect".
Floral tributes at Clapham Common, LondonCredit: Reuters - Debbie White
GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF 'FAILING GIRLS AND WOMEN'
Commenting on Saturday's vigil, and the police crack-down on those at the event, Nick Thomas-Symonds told the Government it is "failing to address violence against women and girls".
The Shadow home secretary told MPs this afternoon: "And whilst the event was a vigil not a protest, the scenes from Clapham should be a red warning light to the Government that ministers should not be rushing through laws cracking down on protest.
"The truth is this Government is failing to address violence against women and girls and ministers even want to curtail their right to protest about it. It is a chronic failure from this Government and meetings and reopening surveys alone are nowhere near enough.
"And meetings that we understand the women and equalities minister won't even be attending this evening."
Mr Thomas-Symonds continued: "The 296-page Bill we will consider later today contains the word memorial eight times and fails to include the word women once."
- Debbie White
PRITI PATEL ASKED FOR MINUTES OF POLICE MEETING
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said "things clearly went very wrong" in Clapham after Saturday's vigil.
Mr Thomas-Symonds today told the Commons: "Let me be clear, it is not women who should change their behaviour, it is men and wider society that needs to change.
"And at times like this it is vital people are able to have their voices heard, of course in a way that is lawful and Covid-secure. Yet this weekend in Clapham things clearly went very wrong and I share the anger about the policing and the scenes we saw."
He continued: "Can the Home Secretary also publish the minutes at the advanced meeting that was held on Friday mentioned by the policing minister on the media this morning?
"And can she confirm what communication she personally had with the Metropolitan Police prior to the events on Saturday?"
- Debbie White
DON'T JOIN LARGE GATHERINGS DURING PANDEMIC – HOME SECRETARY
Priti Patel has this afternoon urged people not to take part in large gatherings or to attend protests while Covid regulations remain in place.
She told MPs: "Over the past year during the coronavirus pandemic, the police have been faced with an unenviable and immediately difficult task. It is one for the most part that they have approached with skill and professionalism, helping to enforce regulations as determined by Parliament with one crucial objective in mind, to save lives.
"This House approved those changes by 524 votes to 16 on January 6 this year. Sadly, as of Sunday March 14, more than 125,500 lives have been lost to this horrible virus.
"It is for that reason that I continue to urge everyone for as long as these regulations are in place not to participate in large gatherings or attend protests.
"The right to protest is the cornerstone of our democracy, but the Government's duty remains to prevent more lives being lost during this pandemic."
- Debbie White
DOMESTIC ABUSER SHOULD BE 'FORCED TO LEAVE HOMES'
Victims of domestic abuse should not be forced out of their homes by violent perpetrators, the House of Lords has been told.
Independent crossbencher Baroness Deech said it was common sense to leave the victim in their home and make the abuser leave.
In report stage debate on the Domestic Abuse Bill, Lady Deech called for the law to be changed to ensure the abuser could be removed as a joint tenant.
She said it would help reduce pressures on women's refuges if the victims of violence could stay in their homes.
- Debbie White
GOVERNMENT ATTACKED OVER 'DRACONIAN' LEGISLATION
Organisations including the RSPB, Liberty and Friends of the Earth have written to Priti Patel and Robert Buckland to raise concerns about "draconian" legislation to boost police powers.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is being "rushed through Parliament" during the coronavirus pandemic and will have "profound implications" for the public, the groups warned.
Nearly 250 groups signed the letter, warning that there had been too little time to properly scrutinise the legislation, which was being considered by MPs on Monday.
The letter sent to the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary said: "Not only does this Bill contain numerous threats to the right to peaceful protest and access to the countryside, criminalise gypsy and traveller communities' way of life, as well as a whole host of expansive policing powers, but it is being rushed through Parliament during a pandemic and before civil society and the public have been able to fully understand its profound implications."
The letter called for a fundamental rethink of the approach being taken by ministers, saying the Bill "represents an attack on some of the most fundamental rights of citizens, in particular those from marginalised communities, and is being driven through at a time and in a way where those who will be subject to its provisions are least able to respond".
- Debbie White
PRITI PATEL TALKS ABOUT 'LANDMARK DOMESTIC ABUSE BILL'
Priti Patel told the House of Commons about the "landmark Domestic Abuse Bill [which] is on track to receive Royal assent by the end of April.
"And this will transform our collective response to this abhorrent crime. This builds on other measures we have brought forward, including the controlling or coercive behaviour of men.
"And the domestic disclosure scheme, known as Clare's Law, which enables individuals to ask the police whether their partner has a violent or abusive past.
"We have also introduced a new preventative tools, and powers to tackle crimes, including stalking, female genital mutilation and so-called upskirting.
"But we can never be complacent."
- Debbie White
HOME SECRETARY TELLS HOUSE ABOUT STEPS WOMEN TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES IN UK STREETS
In her Ministerial statement this afternoon, the Home Secretary spoke about the lengths that women go to, to stay safe in UK streets.
Priti Patel said: "Too many of us have walked home, from school or work alone, only to hear footsteps uncomfortably close behind us. Too many of us have pretended to be on the phone to a friend, to scare someone off.
"Too many of us have clutched our keys in our fist in case we need to defend ourselves. And that is not OK.
"Women and girls must feel safe while walking our streets. That is why we have continued to take action."
- Debbie White
PRITI PATEL IN TUNE WITH WOMEN'S 'ANGER'
Priti Patel added in the House today: "The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has welcomed this [review] and I will await the report, and of course will update the House in due course".
She also spoke about why Sarah Everard's death "has upset so many".
"My heartache and that of others can be summed up in just five words – she was just walking home."
"What has happened has reminded women everywhere of the steps that we take each day without a second thought to keep ourselves safe.
"It has rightfully ignited anger, at the danger posed to women of predatory men, an anger I feel as strongly as anyone," she added.
- Debbie White
PRITI PATEL – FULL REVIEW TO BE LAUNCHED INTO COPS' VIGIL RESPONSE
Speaking about the weekend's 'upsetting' footage circulating online of the Clapham Common vigil, the Home Secretary said this afternoon, "while the police are rightfully operationally independent, I asked the Metropolitan Police for a report into what had happened.
"This government backs our police in fighting crime and keeping the public safe.
"But in the interest of providing greater assurance, and ensuring public confidence, I have asked Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to conduct a full independent lessons learned review."
- Debbie White
PM JOHNSON SAYS HE HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN SCOTLAND YARD CHIEF
The Prime Minister has given his backing to Metropolitan Police chief Dame Cressida Dick despite the "very distressing" scenes at a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.
He told reporters in Coventry: "The police do have a very, very difficult job.
"But there's no question that the scenes that we saw were very distressing and so it is right that Tom Winsor, the inspector of constabulary, should do a full report into it.
"I think people have got to have confidence in the police and Tom's going to look at that."
Mr Johnson said society and the Government needed to ensure that women's complaints about violence are properly heard.
- Alice Peacock
GMB HOST SUSANNA REID SPEAKS OUT ABOUT WOMEN'S SAFETY
This morning Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid made a passionate speech about women's safety after the vigil.
The host – who is presenting Good Morning Britain alongside Ben Shephard after Piers Morgan's shock resignation last week – spoke out before an interview this morning with Policing Minister Kit Malthouse.
She tackled "shocking" scenes at Clapham Common which saw women pinned to the ground and handcuffed – and pleaded for answers on how things had gone so badly wrong.
She said women who had "turned up to pay respects to a woman who is dead" were "shoved out of the way by police".
"This is not the image we wanted," Susanna said. "I think women are unsettled, angry and upset."
- Alice Peacock
BORIS JOHNSON WELCOMES PROBE INTO POLICE RESPONSE
Boris Johnson today admitted the scenes at the Sarah Everard vigil at the weekend were "distressing" as he said the "entire country" was united in grief at her death.
The PM welcomed a probe into the Clapham vigil, where several women were arrested on Saturday night, and said they must feel their complaints of harassment are taken seriously.
Johnosn said today he was "very concerned about the images I saw" from Saturday night and has asked for a full probe into the matter.
The Home Secretary has commissioned an independent investigation into the force's decisions at the weekend.
Boris said the police had a difficult job but added: "The scenes were very distressing – it's right they should do a full report into it."
- Debbie White
MORE LIGHT FOR CLAPHAM COMMON
Campaigners have won their fight to get more lighting on Clapham Common following the tragic death of Sarah Everard.
Lambeth Council is also considering adding CCTV at the south London common close to where Sarah was last seen alive.
Ayesha Alibhai and Safiya Sayani started a petition, which received more than 25,000 signatures, calling for the local authority to take action.
Today (Monday) a council spokesperson tweeted: "Today, we've placed additional lighting on Clapham Common in response to requests from members of the local community.
"Thank you to everyone who shared their concerns with us. We are reviewing whether further action needs to take place, including additional lighting and CCTV."
- Debbie White
HUNT FOR CLUES CONTINUES
Police investigating Sarah Everard's death today taped off recycling bins as they search a new area around 30 miles from where her body was found.
Met Police detectives were searching a large area in Sandwich in Kent overnight including woodland.
Officers have also cordoned off a Co-op car park and a pathway next to a stream as part of the investigation.
Police tape is also up around a Salvation Army clothing bin and a recycling bin next to public toilets – 36 miles from where Sarah's body was found.
Scotland Yard said today: "Searches are continuing in several areas in connection with the case."
Recycling bins have been cordoned off - Debbie White
WELSH COPS PRAISED FOR VIGIL RESPONSE
Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams has praised cops in Wales for the "sensitive way" in which vigils to Sarah Everard were handled over the weekend.
She told a Welsh Government press conference: "Can I say how grateful I am to women and men in Wales who over this weekend carried out vigils to mark the death of Sarah… and the police that oversaw those gatherings in a really respectful way.
"We have to remember we're still in the middle of a pandemic and we need people to be cognizant of that.
"But I would commend both those that wanted to have their voices heard this weekend in Wales, and the police for the sensitive way that that was handled."
- Debbie White
SADIQ KHAN DEMANDS PROBE INTO HANDLING OF VIGIL
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has demanded a “full and independent investigation” into the Met Police’s handling of Saturday night’s Clapham Common vigil.
"I received assurances from the Metropolitan Police last week that the vigil would be policed sensitively," he said in a statement.
"In my view, this was not the case."
Khan said he he was “not satisfied” with the explanation he had been given by the force’s leadership, and was now asking for a "full independent investigation" of events on Saturday night and in previous days.
This would be carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, as well as the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted about the vigil - Debbie White
SIR KEIR STARMER 'FRUSTRATED & CONCERNED' RE WOMEN'S SAFETY
Sir Keir Starmer said he was "frustrated and concerned" about women's safety on Britain's streets while working as director of public prosecutions.
While visiting Whittington Hospital in north London he commented on Sarah Everard's alleged murder, saying: "We need to see this as a turning point where we all come together and do something about it, listen to what women are saying to us, and men need to be part of this, we need to speak up and demonstrate that we are confident change is possible and we are prepared to see through that change once and for all."
Asked about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, Sir Keir said: "I'd actually ask the Government to reflect on this, pause the Bill, work across Parliament – there could be a serious piece of cross-party work now to deal with violence against women.
"That's the issue that we need to confront. This is a sentencing bill – it should say something about rape sentences, about harassment and stalking sentences.
"It doesn't so it should be paused as we actually work together across the House and have something that begins to tackle this very long-standing issue."
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer at Whittington HospitalCredit: Getty Images – Getty - Debbie White
WHAT TIME IS PRITI PATEL'S SPEECH TODAY?
Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to give a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon on the Metropolitan Police's handling of a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.
The exact time is not known but is likely to be after oral questions which is timetabled to start at 2.30pm.
- Debbie White
UK MUST PROTECT & DEFEND WOMEN – PM
Boris Johnson has said Sarah Everard’s death must “unite us in determination” to end violence against women and girls.
The PM’s comments came as Met Commissioner Cressida Dick faced growing calls to resign after cops stormed a vigil on Saturday night.
Mr Johnson was today chairing a meeting of the Crime and Justice Taskforce to look at ways to make Britain’s streets more safe.
Ahead of the meeting, he said: “Like everyone who saw it I was deeply concerned about the footage from Clapham Common on Saturday night.
“The death of Sarah Everard must unite us in determination to drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work to protect and defend them.”
- Debbie White
WHEN IS PRITI PATEL DISCUSSING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT?
Home Secretary Priti Patel is expected to give a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon on the Met Police's handling of a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard.
According to the parliamentary website, Ms Patel will comment after the 2.30pm question session on defence.
She will give a Ministerial statement on policing and the prevention of violence against women.
Home Secretary Priti Patel will address Parliament today, March 15Credit: PA:Press Association - Debbie White
BORIS JOHNSON SHOULD 'STOP POLICE, CRIME… BILL' – CAMPAIGNERS
If Boris Johnson is "serious about ending violence against women, he will halt the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill", according to Sisters Uncut, a feminist group taking direct action for domestic and sexual violence services.
A statement on the organisation's website claims: "As the actions of police at peaceful vigils this weekend show, police abuse the powers that they already have – and yet the government plans to give them more powers in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill."
The statement alleges that "handing them more powers will increase violence against women.
"The current 'tough on crime' approach does nothing to improve the lives of victims of violence and it protects police officers from accountability."
- Debbie White
WOMAN WAS 'TERRIFIED' DURING ARREST AT SARAH EVERARD VIGIL
A woman who was arrested at the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard says she was "terrified" while pinned to the ground by cops.
Images of student Patsy Stevenson being handcuffed and held down by two male officers sparked anger at Scotland Yard's policing of the gathering in south London on Saturday evening.
She told ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I was terrified. I have never been so scared honestly. I think what was scary as well was as soon as I was pinned to the ground, I looked up and there were cameras everywhere.
"I was like 'oh my God, this is big'. I didn't realise they had even pinned me to the ground for a second.
"It just like happened so fast and then I was on the ground. I was like, I am on the ground, I am very small. I wasn't resisting or anything."
Stevenson was arrested during the vigil - Debbie White
'MISOGYNY IN MET POLICE INSTITUTIONAL' SAY RECLAIM THESE STREETS
Reclaim These Streets, which had organised Saturday's vigil before being forced to cancel following consultation with Scotland Yard, today tweeted: "Misogyny in @metpoliceuk is a deep-rooted, institutional problem.
"The police need to stop doubling down and issue a full public apology.
"There must be a fully independent investigation into how they policed Saturday's protest. They cannot be allowed to mark their own homework."
One person responded: "Thought it was a peaceful vigil? That's what you sold it as…now it's a protest?"
Reclaim These Streets hit out at the Met Police on Twitter
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