By Ben Kerrigan-
Home Secretary Priti Patel has condemned protesters whom she described as ”criminal” for destroying the statute of Winston Churchill
Ms Patel vowed that justice will follow those identified for their acts of thuggery over the weekend during the protest of black lives matter.
Majority of protests were peaceful, but violence in other parts of the country resulted in the injury of 50 police officers in the capital.
Frontline police officers without helmets and shields in central London were pelted with bottles and fireworks, with more than 60 people arrested for offences of assault and criminal damage over the weekend.
She said the hooliganism is ”utterly indefensible” and that there ”is no justification for it”.
She said: ”There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the Cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Winston Churchill, one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived.
It’s not for mobs to tear down statues and cause criminal damage in our streets, and it is not acceptable for thugs to racially abuse black police officers for doing their jobs.
The criminals responsible for these unlawful and reckless acts are betraying the very cause they purport to serve.
These protests are about injustice but by attacking our courageous police, they are acting in a wholly unjust way …
To the quiet law-abiding majority who are appalled by this violence and have continued to live their lives within the rules, I hear you.
To the police who have been subject to the most dreadful abuse, you have my full backing as you act proportionately, fairly and courageously to maintain law and order.
To the criminal minority who have subverted this cause with their thuggery, I simply say this – your behaviour is shameful and you will face justice.
Winston Churchill’s statute in Parliament Square has been vandalised during the Black Lives Matter rally.
Demonstrators were pictured climbing onto the statue while holding placards.