Sunak Says Police Can Act on ‘Jihad’ Chants as Met Chief Calls for Law Change

Sir Mark Rowley said it’s up to Parliament to redraw the line, but the prime minister said the government will ‘clarify’ guidance to explain existing powers.

(L) Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in London on Sept. 11, 2023. (James Manning/PA) (R) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Clacton Library in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, on Oct. 18, 2023. Frank Augstein/PA

The chief of London’s Metropolitan Police blamed gaps in the law on Monday after ministers criticised the force for not taking action over chants of “jihad” at a “pro-Palestine” Islamist rally over the weekend.

However, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted the police already have sufficient legal power “to arrest those who are inciting violence or racial hatred,” and said the government will work on clarifying guidance.