The Met is still trying to contain the outrage from the Jewish community at its officers’ treatment of Gideon Falter, leader of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, nine days ago. Ministers, including the Prime Minister, have made clear their indignation. The Assistant Met Commissioner, Matt Twist, is to meet Mr Falter to apologise. Yet no matter how fulsome the Met’s apology, there is no getting away from the shocking reality that a man could be told that his being “openly Jewish” was a problem. Let us be clear: in London, wearing Jewish dress is not a provocation; being openly Jewish is not a provocation. If there is a mindset within the Met that perceives it as a problem, the mindset needs correcting.
The Met has serious questions to answer about this troubling episode, not least the training given to its personnel in policing pro-Palestinian demonstrations. It may help that it is to consult Jewish groups in its planning for future protests. Of course the police cannot monitor everything that is done and said at a large march, but the Commissioner, Mark Rowley, must prioritise the safety of London’s Jewish community in deciding how they are to be policed in future. Jewish people do not feel safe in London and it is unacceptable that this is the case. The Met must do better than this. Much better.
Hall unleashed
Susan Hall launches her mayoral manifesto today and there is much there for many Londoners to like. Her focus on low council tax is welcome and she is right to question the ever rising cost of City Hall. Her concern about the closure of police stations and her aim for 1,500 more police will be popular even if there are questions about funding more police and more stations. The same goes for extending the Night Tube to other lines, which London wants. Prudently she has dropped her bid to means-test school meals. It’s her antagonism to Ulez in outer boroughs and her bid to modify the 20mph speed limit that set her most clearly apart from the Mayor.
This is not a contest that has so far ignited London and it seems a pity that Susan Hall has not made more of her Time for Change rallying call, but at least we can now be clear about the two main candidates’ policies. Let battle commence!
A grand day out
It’s one of the great days in London’s calendar. Yesterday’s Marathon had it all: a carnival atmosphere from 750,000 joyful spectators, a record amount raised for charity, and 50,000 brave runners. They well deserve the sedentary positions they will be occupying today. A big well done from the Standard to all of those who took part.
