Riot cops ‘to go soft on Budget demo’ after G20
RIOT squad cops will refuse to enforce the law at a Budget day demo in London today.
Police in the Met’s Territorial Support Group, stung by criticism over the G20 demo, will take a “softly, softly” stance.
Thousands of Tamils will flood Parliament Square to protest against the conflict in Sri Lanka.
Cops won’t intervene to stop troublemakers who don’t obey police orders.Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has this week been visiting TSG bases to speak to cops seething at suspensions.
A PC was quizzed on suspicion of manslaughter after Ian Tomlinson, 47, died in the protests.
Another was suspended for hitting a woman.
Pockets of public order teams across London are threatening to withdraw from policing demos.
And did the sky fall?
Did violent revolutionaries storm Parliament and overthrow democracy?
I guess it's valuable to recognise that at least some police officers will contemplate refusing lawful orders if they're not allowed to behave like thugs.
