Britain's top cop defends arrest of OAP priest, 83, at banned Palestine Action protest — ‘law has no age limit'
Retired priest the Reverend Sue Parfitt was held on Saturday, the day the group was banned under terror laws.
2
Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has defended the arrest of an 83-year-old at a Palestine Action protest, saying the law has no age limit
Credit: Getty
2
Rev Parfitt, 83, was arrested after she appeared to be showing placards in support of Palestine Action at the Parliament Square demo
Credit: PA
law
doesn't have an age limit, whether you're 18 or 80.
"If you're supporting proscribed groups, then the law is going to be enforced.'
Rev Parfitt appeared to be showing placards in support of
In total, 29 people were arrested.
READ MORE UK NEWS
All have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Palestine Action was banned after
Supporting a proscribed group is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Yesterday
Most read in The Sun
Waters, 81, also praised rapper
The Campaign Against Antisemitism vowed to bring a private prosecution if the rocker was not charged.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it would seek to bring a private prosecution if he was not charged.
Fury as Glastonbury crowd chants 'death to the IDF' during Bob Vylan set aired live on BBC
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Teen girl murdered by care home resident obsessed with necrophilia said ‘social services destroyed my life'
A TEENAGE girl who was brutally murdered in a care home said "social services destroyed my life" according to an inquest. Melissa Mathieson, 18, was strangled by Jason Conroy, a fellow care home resident in October 2014. 3 An inquest into Melissa Mathieson's death shows she said social services ruined her life Credit: PA:Press Association 3 Jason Conroy was jailed for life following the sexually motivated killing Credit: PA:Press Association The pair had been living at Alexandra House, a residential care home for adults with autism and Asperger's syndrome in Bristol. Jason Conroy was Avon Coroner's Court heard how Jason had a history of violence, once trying to strange a teacher and attempting to kill his mother. Hours before her death, Melissa had complained to staff at the facility that Jason was stalking her. Read more News During In it she wrote: "This was a terrible time for me, and I felt like I was dragged away from my home and everything I knew and being completely disrupted. "They never took into consideration my age or the distance from my family. I was still a child, just very confused." The letter was given as part of her mother Karen's Most read in The Sun Her father James is attending the inquest. Karen Mathieson had written how "the system" had failed both Melissa and Jason. 'Mushroom killer' Erin Patterson GUILTY of murdering three relatives with deadly beef wellington "We know better than most people the difficulties that autism can present, for our feelings about Jason Conroy are not based on ignorance of his condition," she said. "What he has done is awful, we cannot comprehend it, so many people cannot comprehend it. "Melissa did not have a nasty bone in her body. She was a gentle, kind and lovely girl. "Not only has Jason Conroy ended Melissa's life, but he has also ended his own. He should have had his problems addressed a long time ago. "The system has failed him, and it has failed Melissa. "We question the professionals who have had the responsibility for his care, as much as we do of those who had a responsibility for Melissa's care." She went on to write that "there were warning signs" about Conroy's behaviour that were missed. Karen added: "We want people to sit up, think and Miss Mathieson, who was from Windsor, Berkshire, had been sent to the Bristol-based home by social services when she turned 18 - after spending two years in a series of different placements. Her mother described her as immature for her age, and "lived in a bit of a fantasy world". She said she was influenced by the It led Melissa to make allegations that caused social services to get involved according to Karen. She said: "Her behaviour was played out to us, we would put our foot down so because she did not have anything to compare it to - she thought we were being hard on her." While her behaviour did not get more difficult, they found "They did not seem to realise that Melissa loved the attention she got from Social services then allegedly suggested that Melissa should live away from home, which "put Melissa in danger". After struggling with severe anxiety at aged 16, she required hospital treatment, which Karen said was "a real turning point" as the drugs left her "psychotic". Karen said: "Melissa was never the same girl after this psychosis. "She was in an environment that she was able to learn from other patients all about the things we have tried to protect her against. "Then when she came home, she would have further outbursts. It was a truly horrible year. "I used to go to bed and feel like I was running down a hill with a big rock chasing behind me. I was constantly trying to stay ahead. "James felt like he was on a rollercoaster he couldn't get off. We all had these issues, not caused by Melissa, but by the social services management." It was after this that Melissa was sent to Alexandra House. Karen said: "We were told that Melissa was going to Alexandra House to get her behaviour back on track, but actually she got killed by the very things that we always tried to teach her to be wary of." 3 The pair were staying at Alexandra House care home in Bristol
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Wimbledon announce major technical changes midway through tournament after they were forced to apologise for error
WIMBLEDON has made major changes to its Electronic Line Calling system and are confident there will be NO further cock-ups. Sonay Kartal's Last-16 exit to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Sunday was overshadowed by an 'operator error' that meant ball-tracking technology was accidentally 'deactivated' for a key point. Advertisement 1 Wimbledon have made changes following an error in a match on Sunday Credit: PA Though Kartal's return was clearly out, the Hawk-Eye cameras did not pick it up – and umpire Nico Helwerth decided to replay the point. Wimbledon – who apologised for the error – say their live ELC system 'relies on the cameras and technology working in harmony with the operators and Review Officials'. Following a 'thorough review', the All England Club have 'removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball tracking'. Though the source of the issue was a human mistake, tennis bosses say 'this error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made'. Advertisement READ MORE ON WIMBLEDON German official Helwerth was not involved in any matches on Monday but the AELTC say he was simply 'having a rest day'. Hawk-Eye cameras have replaced line judges on all 18 courts for this year's Championships. CEO Sally Bolton said: 'In between matches, the system is deactivated, so it's not functioning when there isn't a match on court . 'So, there is a process in place for activating and deactivating the system, and the humans are the people that need to do the activating and deactivating. Advertisement Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'Why was it turned off mid-match? Well, I don't know. It was a mistake, obviously. 'It had been deactivated. We didn't need to put line judges back on the court again. We needed the system to be active. Britain's last hope in Wimbledon women's draw Sonay Kartal OUT after huge controversy as rival accuses umpire of bias 'The chair umpire wasn't informed that the system had been deactivated in error. Advertisement 'So I can be confident that our system is in the best shape it can possibly be at this stage.'
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Britain unites to remember victims of 7/7 bombings on 20th anniversary as Royals, PM and survivors vow never to forget
PRINCE William led tributes to 7/7 Tube and bus bomb victims as the nation came together to mark 20 years since the 7/7 bombings. Survivors, families who lost loved ones, first responders, the Royal Family and senior politicians united to remember those who died in the terror which gripped the capital. Advertisement 12 Prince William laid flowers at the permanent memorial of 7/7 in Hyde Park Credit: Getty 12 Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer left a handwritten note on top of white flowers Credit: PA 12 The No30 bus after the bomb blast in Tavistock Square Credit: PA On July 7, 2005, four suicide bombers hit London's transport network, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770 on three London Underground trains and a bus. The attacks were the first suicide bombings on British soil and changed the country's response to terror forever. In a statement issued to mark the anniversary, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Today, the whole country will unite to remember the lives lost in the 7/7 attacks, and all those whose lives were changed forever. 'We honour the courage shown that day — the bravery of the emergency services, the strength of Advertisement READ MORE ON 7/7 BOMBINGS My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. King Charles 'Those who tried to divide us failed. We stood together then, and we stand together now — against hate and for the values that define us of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.' Prince William met survivors and relatives of victims to lay flowers at the permanent memorial in Hyde Park yesterday afternoon. William, 43, joined up to 500 He spoke with Thelma Stober, one of the survivors, and Gerald Oppenheim, chairman of the London Emergencies Trust. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Jill Foulkes, sister of victim David Foulkes, said that grief never got easier but that the loss and the pain changed over the years. Her brother died on his first visit to London on his own. Inside 7/7 The story behind Britain's worst ever terror attack His father, Graham, said: 'For many people, nothing was the same again and yet everything was the same — because the good which is in Londoners and the countless visitors whom they host at any given moment is not erased by hatred or threat. 'But rather it is fostered to produce a harvest of hope for each generation.' Advertisement June Taylor, whose daughter Carrie died aged 24 at Aldgate station, told those gathered: 'Don't take for granted what you have but treasure every minute.' Earlier in the day, Sir Keir and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan laid wreaths at the memorial at 8.50am, to coincide with the moment that the first bomb went off. The "Twenty years on, we grieve and we remember them.' Advertisement Officials including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and Chief Constable of British Transport Police Lucy D'Orsi also laid floral tributes. 12 The bombed tube train at Aldgate station Credit: Getty 12 Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch Credit: Getty 12 Former PM Tony Blair was also in attendance Credit: Getty Advertisement In a Saba Edwards, the daughter of victim Behnaz Mozakka, read out the names of those killed on the Piccadilly line service between King's Cross and Russell Square. The attack was the deadliest of the four launched that day, with 26 people killed by Germaine Lindsay when he blew himself up by detonating his bomb just after the train left the station at 8.49am. Ms Edwards' voice cracked slightly as she got to her mother's name among the list of victims. Advertisement I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have. Rob Webb Survivor Ms Stober then read out the names of the seven killed on the Circle Line train between Liverpool Street and Aldgate, the six who died at Edgware Road, and the 13 who lost their lives on a bus at Tavistock Square. Shehzad Tanweer detonated his bomb on the Circle Line between Liverpool Street and Aldgate at 8.49am, with ringleader Mohammad Sidique Khan doing so on a Circle line train near Edgware Road. Confusion initially led to the attacks being perceived as a power surge before it became clear that it was a bombing attack, carried out by home-grown terrorists. The last of the attacks took place on the number 30 bus not far from King's Cross, at about 9.47am. Advertisement Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Charles issued a statement, highlighting comfort could be taken from the 'spirit of unity' in London and the country, which allowed the nation to heal. He said: 'My heartfelt thoughts and special prayers remain with all those whose lives were forever changed on that terrible summer's day. 12 Former Prime Minister Theresa May attended the service Credit: Getty Advertisement 12 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was at the poignant memorial service at St Paul's Cathedral Credit: PA "We remember with profound sadness the 52 innocent people who were killed in senseless acts of evil — and the enduring grief of their loved ones. 'We should also remember the countless stories of extraordinary courage and compassion. "We recall, too, the hundreds more who carry physical and psychological scars, and pray that their suffering may ease as the years pass. Advertisement 'The selfless bravery of emergency services, transport workers, and citizens who rushed towards danger to help strangers reminds us of the very best of humanity in the face of the very worst.' Senior politicians in attendance included Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch, Health Secretary Rob Webb, whose younger sister Laura was killed at Edgware Road, called 7/7 'an attack on all of us' that should never be forgotten. He added: 'I remain angry. Laura was denied the opportunity of a life that me and my brother have been lucky enough to have.' Advertisement Bishop of London the Rt Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the message was one of hope, adding: 'The good that is in Londoners is not erased by hatred or threat. "Hope presents itself as a survival tool for the tenacity of the spirit that's in us all.' Home Secretary London Mayor Sir Sadiq said Londoners 'will always choose hope over fear and unity over division'. Advertisement He added: 'We remember the 52 people whose lives were stolen and our thoughts and prayers remain with their loved ones, and the more than 700 people injured by these cowardly acts of hatred.' EDGWARE ROAD 12 Families gathered to pay a touching tribute to close victims of the terror attacks on 7/7 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial TAVISTOCK SQUARE 12 Sir Keir Starmer speaks at a tribute gathering Credit: Shutterstock Editorial ALDGATE 12 Prayers after a moment's silence at Aldgate station Advertisement KING'S CROSS 12 Families touch and read the 7/7 memorial plaque before a wreath-laying ceremony begins Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
