Sir Mark Rowley Highlights Alternative Models Amid Controversy Over Protest Policing

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has suggested that Northern Ireland-style policing could offer an alternative approach to handling protests in the UK, amid growing criticism over the force’s handling of demonstrations. The suggestion follows recent scrutiny of how the Met has managed pro-Palestine protests, as well as accusations of biased, two-tier policing from both left-wing and right-wing groups.

Rowley’s comments come after a particularly challenging year for the force, which included public calls for his resignation following the release of a video showing an interaction between a Jewish man and a police officer at a pro-Palestine protest last April.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Rowley acknowledged that UK protest laws have generally taken a permissive approach, allowing protests to take place unless there is a substantial risk of violence that the police cannot control. However, he pointed to Northern Ireland as an example of a different legal framework used to regulate protests and parades, particularly in divided communities with a history of sectarian conflict.

“In Northern Ireland, there is a separate legal framework for dealing with marches and parades, involving a Parades Commission that assesses the impact of such events on local communities and seeks to balance the rights of those protesting with the potential for community division,” Rowley explained.

He emphasized, however, that the decision on how to regulate protests should lie with Parliament, not the police, and any significant changes to protest laws would need to be debated and enacted by lawmakers.

Rowley’s comments come at a time of heightened tensions around protest policing in the UK, with questions raised about the balance between maintaining public order and respecting the right to protest. The debate continues to evolve, with Rowley’s call for a reassessment of protest laws likely to influence ongoing discussions.

Despite Discredited Allegations, Trump Continues to Hold a Solid Lead Over Kamala Harris in Ohio, Poll Reveals

A new poll in Ohio reveals that while most voters in the state reject Donald Trump’s false claims about Haitian immigrants, a significant portion of Republican voters still support him, giving him a consistent lead in the state ahead of the 2024 election.

In the poll, 55% of Ohio voters — including almost all Democratic respondents — correctly identified Trump’s viral claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield were “eating people’s pets” as false. However, 42% of Republicans still believe this discredited accusation, while an additional 26% were unsure, suggesting a high degree of uncertainty or agreement with the false narrative within the GOP base.

Despite the widespread rejection of the claim, Trump continues to lead Vice President Kamala Harris by approximately six percentage points in Ohio, a state he won by 8 points in both the 2016 and 2020 elections. His continued popularity in the state indicates that his base remains solid, even in the face of controversial rhetoric.

The pet-eating accusation, which was amplified by Trump and his running mate JD Vance, has been firmly rejected by local authorities and city officials in Springfield, where the claim originated. Springfield’s mayor and law enforcement have denounced the false narrative, and Republican Governor Mike DeWine, a Trump supporter, defended the city’s history of welcoming immigrants and providing opportunities for refugees. He expressed dismay that Trump and Vance continue to spread unfounded claims that harm the local community.

“Unfortunately, these misleading attacks hurt both Springfield and the people who have called it home for generations,” Governor DeWine wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times. He noted that Haitian immigrants, living legally in the area, had revitalised the local economy and helped reverse Springfield’s population decline.

As the race for Ohio’s 2024 Senate seat remains close — with Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown holding a slight lead over Republican Bernie Moreno within the poll’s margin of error — it’s clear that Trump’s hold on the state’s electorate is strong, despite controversial rhetoric and disinformation. The poll also shows that 90% of Ohio Republicans plan to vote for Trump in 2024, with 95% of Democrats favouring Harris.

Deputy First Minister Calls for Full Transparency and Accountability in Michael McMonagle Case

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has called on Sinn Féin to be fully transparent regarding their handling of former employee Michael McMonagle, who recently admitted to child sex offences. The controversy has raised serious questions about the party’s management of safeguarding and their interactions with external organisations.

McMonagle, who was employed by Sinn Féin until 2021, was suspended after allegations of child sex abuse came to light. Despite this, he secured a role with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in 2022. The charity has since expressed frustration at not being informed about the ongoing investigation into McMonagle’s past, prompting questions about the political party’s due diligence.

Little-Pengelly, responding to the issue during the Executive Office questions at Stormont Assembly on Monday, distanced herself from Sinn Féin’s attempts to deflect responsibility. She said the party must take ownership of the situation and answer critical questions surrounding their former employee’s conduct.

“There are serious questions for Sinn Féin to answer. This needs to be addressed with openness and transparency,” Little-Pengelly stated. She also emphasised the importance of taking responsibility and avoiding blaming external organisations, particularly the British Heart Foundation. “They do valuable work, and this situation requires honesty from all involved.”

Fearghal McKinney, head of BHF Northern Ireland, had previously expressed concern that Sinn Féin’s comments implied the charity was at fault for not conducting further checks. However, Little-Pengelly rejected this line of thinking, asserting that the responsibility lay squarely with Sinn Féin.

DUP MLA Peter Martin questioned how the Executive Office, responsible for safeguarding and victims’ issues, could retain the confidence of abuse survivors in light of this scandal. Little-Pengelly responded by referencing previous inquiries into historical abuse and highlighting the need for continuous lessons in openness and accountability.

“This is about protecting vulnerable individuals and learning from past failings,” she remarked, adding that such issues should not be brushed aside.