By Lucy Caulkett-
A woman who was arrested during the Accession Proclamation for the new King in Edinburgh has been charged with breaching the peace. Moments before Charles III was declared monarch in Scotland, the foolish demonstrator appeared in the crowd holding a sign saying ‘f*** imperialism, abolish monarchy’.
The protester was led away by a police officer, prompting a mixed reaction from spectators. The individual had also been seen brandishing an ‘Abolish the Monarchy’ sign as Charles III addressed MPs and peers inside the seat of power.
The officer who arrested her was audibly booed by a male voice, which was followed by jeering from a number of spectators.
However, he jeering was quickly drowned out by a louder chant of ‘God Save the King’, as the trumpets sounded again, this time with a rendition of the national anthem.
Many in the crowd joined in by singing as a three-gun salute began to ring out, but there appeared to be further disruption among some sections.
A number of people in the crowd had applauded the officer, while one man was heard shouting: ‘Let her go! It’s free speech!’ Those members of the crowd appear to be ignorant of the limitations to free speech contained in the Human Rights Act 1998.
All civil liberties are limited to rights that do not impede on other rights, in this case the right for members of the public to mourn the death of the queen.
Demented individuals bent on insulting a period of national and global mourning for the queen are divisive, and should rightly be prosecuted, not just for breach of the peace, but potentially for inciting hatred.
The insensitivity underlying their distorted judgement calls for strong levels of punitive measures.
A force spokesperson said of the arrest in Scotland: ‘A 22-year-old woman was arrested outside St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, on Sunday 11 September 2022 in connection with a breach of the peace.