Matthew has raised the Metropolitan Police’s lack of action following the demonstration outside Downing Street on 9th September in the House of Commons. In Business Questions on Thursday 15th October, Matthew asked the Leader of the Commons if a Minister would come to the House to explain why the police did not think it necessary to take legal action against identified individuals who were flying Hezbollah flags, shouting anti-Semitic remarks and making anti-Semitic gestures.
The Leader of the House of Commons, Rt Hon. Chris Grayling, responded by saying this was a criminal matter and that he would like to see the police take legal action. He also recommended that the Hendon MP take up the matter with both the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary.
In a meeting with Conservative MPs last October, the Home Secretary made it clear that new guidance on hate crime has been issued to all police forces which makes specific mention of anti-Semitism and confirmed that the flying of ISIS/Hezbollah/Hamas flags is a criminal offence http://www.bod.org.uk/mike-freer-mp-writes-about-his-meeting-with-theresa-may/
During the visit to the UK by the Israeli Prime Minster in September, a demonstration was held by pro-Palestinian protestors outside Downing Street. Matthew attended the scene and witnessed Hezbollah flags being flown, contrary to the Terrorism Act. Having brought the issue to the attention of the senior police officer in attendance, Matthew was assured that action would be taken at a later date when the demonstration had concluded. Matthew also sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police seeking further assurances that the issue would be addressed. The response stated that whilst Hezbollah flags were being displayed,
“ …the flag represents both its [Hezbollah’s] political party and the proscribed terrorist group, displaying it in these circumstances alone does not constitute an offence under Terrorism Legislation. Other actions such as chanting or slogans are required for the offence to be proved. Officers deployed were aware of this and actively sought additional evidence. There was none apparent. Despite this the Senior Officer present directed that the flags be put away to prevent any further disturbance.”
Matthew said: “The response from the Metropolitan Police is factually incorrect and contradicts both the Home Secretary and the Terrorism Act itself. I attended the demonstration and witnessed what happened and at no point did the police instruct anyone to remove the display of terrorist flags. The senior officer told me his priority was to keep demonstrators apart and that CCTV would record those committing offences and action would be taken at a later date. It has been confirmed to me by the Metropolitan Police that this will not be the case. It is peculiar that in the same week that it was announced that the number of reported hate crimes has increased by 20%, the police fail to take any action in a case where the law is clear. This sends a very worrying message to my constituents.”