The Latest Breaking News from Graham Smith

MP left 'speechless' after night time volunteer relives arrest hours before Coronation

Suzie Melvin was one of three volunteers for Westminster Council’s Night Stars safety scheme who was help by officers hours before King Charles was crowned - despite their organisation working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police.

Daily Mirror · May 17, 2023

Volunteers arrested before coronation were wearing hi-viz with ‘Met Police logo’

A Night Stars volunteer said the police officer who arrested her stated that they were ‘specifically looking’ for people from her organisation.

The Independent UK · May 17, 2023

Fresh criticism aimed at Met police over coronation arrests

A volunteer for safety scheme Night Stars said they were specifically targeted in the hours before the event on May 6.

The Independent UK · May 17, 2023

Coronation protests: did the Met overreact?

For many of us, the coronation will have passed by in a rainy blur of “pomp, quiches and bunting”, said Sonia Sodha in The Observer. But for members of the campaign group Republic, “things took an altogether more sinister turn”. 

The Week · May 11, 2023

‘It massively backfired’: Republicanism in spotlight after arrests

Head of Republic campaign group believes detention at coronation was premeditated attempt to kill protests

The Guardian - UK · May 9, 2023

Tory MPs condemn use of new laws to detain coronation protesters

Backbenchers speak out after Metropolitan police expresses regret over arrests of six members of Republic

The Guardian - UK · May 9, 2023

Starmer not committing to immediately ripping up protest arrest law

The Labour leader said it was ‘early days’ for the Public Order Act, amid criticism of the arrest of anti-monarchy protesters ahead of the coronation.

The Independent UK · May 9, 2023

'Do you want a sensible conversation?': Republic leader clashes with Kay Burley

THE CEO of Republic has clashed with Sky news presenter Kay Burley as she branded coronation spending estimates "as wild speculation".

The National (Scotland) · May 9, 2023

Britain’s top cop defends coronation arrests and says crowds cheered crackdown

But senior Tory David Davis attacked the wrongful arrests, blaming the government’s controversial Public Order Act

The Independent UK · May 9, 2023

What is Republic? Anti-monarchy group protest ahead of the King’s Speech

Anti-monarchy demonstrators have gathered to protest the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament

Evening Standard · May 9, 2023