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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Shaun Wilson

‘Utter disgrace': Ministers slams protestors who rounded on military chiefs in Whitehall

Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside MoD headquarters in Whitehall on Friday - (Aldo Ciarrocchi/LNP)

Pro-Palestine demonstrators swarmed outside the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Whitehall on Friday, where many shouted insults at armed uniformed personnel.

Footage showed the demonstrators confronting officers on the steps of MoD HQ, with cries of "baby butchers", "cowards" and "shame on you!"

Some of the protestors wore masks and others waved Palestine flags as they gathered at the Strand, before heading to the MoD building.

Drumbeats and chants could be heard as police attempted to diffuse the situation and prevent the crowds from entering the building, while the MoD's protective blast doors were raised as a security measure.

After footage of the scene appeared online, the minister for migration and citizenship, Labour MP Mike Tapp, described the goings on as "disgraceful".

He wrote on X: "Instead of being at work (maybe unemployable), they choose to intimidate MoD staff who are working hard to keep our country safe."

Armed forced minister and fellow labour MP Al Carns also criticised the gathering, writing on X: "Utter disgrace. [They are] protesting at the organisation that protects their very freedoms.

"Without the MoD or our service personnel, our democratic foundations would not exist. MOD work 24/7. Imagine having to walk into work everyday and get harassed by this bunch….none who have courage to serve themselves. Well done to the police for holding the line."

Reform UK MP Richard Tice also weighed in on the protest, blasting it as "shameful intimidation by the mob of pro-Hamas, pro-Iranian regime folk".

An MoD spokesman said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest.

"The safety and security of our personnel and buildings is always our priority, and appropriate security measures are in place."

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