The BBC Today host is Mishal Husain. She interrupted former Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Suella Braverman called for Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to resign after revealing that she hadn't watched the footage of the incident. The filmed clash between officers and Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) chief executive Gideon Falter at a pro-Palestine march in London appears to show a Met officer referring to Falter as 'openly Jewish' and suggesting he change his path to avoid the march. The Met then issued an apology. However, Braverman faced pressure from Husain for arguing that the video was evidence of the police's failure to protect Jewish citizens from potential antisemitic threats. Husain questioned whether Braverman had seen the entire video involving Gideon Falter. Braverman admitted to only having seen 'clips' of the incident, but maintained her broader argument against allowing marches to take place over the last six months, accusing the Met Police of taking sides.
Husain highlighted that Sky News released the full 13-minute clip on Monday, revealing the officer offering to lead Falter out 'in a different direction' to help him get past the demonstrators before accusing Falter of seeking to provoke the marches. Husain asked if this changed Braverman's position, stressing that police have a duty to maintain peace, as concluded by many after watching the full footage.Braverman emphasized that her complaint was not against individual police officers, but against the failure to combat anti-Semitism and maintain peace on the streets of London over the past six months.
Husain questioned whether it was this incident that led to Braverman's call for the Metropolitan Police Chief to resign or be sacked.
Braverman indicated that the incident highlighted ongoing issues.
Husain pushed on whether Braverman had seen the whole incident video.
The MP defended her stance, stating that the video and incident revealed a failure by the police to strike a balance between competing rights, especially in addressing anti-Semitic threats during marches.
The host suggested that Braverman should watch the whole video to better understand the perceived risks.
Braverman stressed the importance of discussing the issue, emphasizing that the police must directly confront any anti-Semitic threat, a step the video did not show.
Husain pressed on whether this incident was the reason for Braverman's call for the Metropolitan Police Chief to resign or be sacked.
Braverman stated that the incident shed light on ongoing issues.
Husain reiterated that Braverman hadn't seen the whole incident video.
Braverman reiterated her belief that the video demonstrated the police's failure to strike the right balance in addressing anti-Semitic threats during protests.
The host suggested that Braverman should watch the entire video before forming a final opinion on the perceived risks.
Braverman emphasized the importance of discussing the matter, stating that the police must directly confront any anti-Semitic threat, which the video did not depict.
Husain responded, saying, 'You haven't seen the entire video.'
Braverman responded, 'I have seen sufficient of the video.'
Husain countered, asking, 'How can you be sure, you haven't seen the entire video?'
Braverman replied, 'Excuse me Mishal, if I could finish a sentence that might help.'
Husain stated, 'You mentioned at the start that you haven't seen the entire video so I recommend reviewing the whole footage before drawing conclusions based on incomplete information.'
Braverman replied, indicating that her statement was based on six months of experience working with the Met Police commissioner: 'At this point in time, there is unprecedented anti-Semitism on our streets. There is disproportionate police resourcing being deployed to police these marches. And the police have chosen a side.'
Husain remarked, 'You simply want them banned.'
Braverman added, 'I want marches banned which are posing a disproportionate risk of serious disorder or unmanageable resource.'
Husain argued that there had only been a small number of arrests at the marches and that there was a large Jewish bloc among the Gaza protestors.
The former Home Secretary, who was fired from the cabinet by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in November days after writing a Times op-ed accused the Met Police’s of bias when it came to pro-Palestine marches, asked, 'If this march was peaceful, why was a Jewish man not able to cross the street peacefully?'
Husain continued to push back on Braverman: 'You’re basing what you’re saying on incomplete information.'
The interview came to an end after Husain cut off Braverman, thanking her for her time.
Listen above on Radio 4’s Today programme.
