CULTURE Secretary Lucy Frazer has denied that police went too far in policing the coronation, claiming they got the “balance right”.
The Tory frontbencher added that she had “huge confidence” in the police.
The Metropolitan Police has been heavily criticised over the detentions, with some campaign groups likening the “incredibly alarming” arrests to “something you would expect to see in Moscow, not London”.
The force confirmed 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offences, breach of the peace, and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the coronation.
Metropolitan Police Commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard’s actions, saying: “Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation.”
Asked whether the police went too far, Frazer responded: “No. The police are operationally independent from Government.
“What they had to do was to police an international event on the world stage and I think they took that into account in their policing.
“What they have to do is balance the right to protest, which is important in a democracy. At the same time, there’s the right of all those other people to enjoy what was a fabulous day.
“I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right.”
Frazer added that police should take into account the context of events in determining their response, saying it “was an event that would have raised questions about national security. This was an event on the world stage.”
The Tory MP also said she trusted the police to use controversial new laws to prevent disruptive protests: “Yes, I do trust them to use those new powers. I have huge confidence in the police.”
Labour shadow health secretary Wes Streeting, meanwhile, said it was important for police to provide “accountability” over concerns raised about how protesters at the coronation were treated.
He said: “I wasn’t there, didn’t see, not across the details of specific cases yet, and so I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to provide a running commentary without all of the facts.
“I think it’s the accountability that’s important and where concerns have been raised, whether that’s by Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, or people more generally just concerned about they’ve read in the papers or seen on the telly, it’s important that the police provide that accountability.”
The SNP condemned the arrests, with the party’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn saying: “Deeply disturbing and clarity urgently required.
“The right to peaceful protest is non-negotiable, irrespective of whom you are protesting.”
