| Label | Content |
|---|---|
| Meeting: | MQT on 21 July 2022 |
| Session name: | MQT on 21/07/2022 between 10:00 and 13:00 |
| Reference: | 2022/2294 |
| Question by: | Caroline Pidgeon |
| Organisation: | Liberal Democrats |
| Asked of: | The Mayor |
| Category: | Policing |
Question
Prosecution of Sarah Everard Vigil Attendees by Metropolitan Police
Do you agree with the Met’s decision to pursue prosecutions against six attendees of the Sarah Everard Vigil on Clapham Common in March 2021, especially given the High Court ruling in March 2022 that the Met had acted unlawfully in blocking the planned vigil by Reclaim These Streets due to restricting rights of freedom of speech and assembly?
Answer
The decision to prosecute six people with breaching COVID rules came after the issuing of nine Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) relating to the vigil for Sarah Everard. The six people failed to pay their FPNs and the decision to prosecute was reached following a full evidential review.
As I have always maintained, I do not agree with the decision to bring these prosecutions forward, but ultimately this is an operational decision for the Met and the CPS. I made my views clear. However, I do not have the power to intervene.
On this page
Related questions
| Question | Reference | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Everard vigil prosecutions | 2022/2581 | 21 July 2022 |
| Attempts to appeal the High Court ruling on the Sarah Everard vigil | 2022/1363 | 19 May 2022 |
| HMICRFS’s Investigation into the Policing of the Sarah Everard Vigil on Saturday 13 March 2021 (1) | 2021/1368 | 27 May 2021 |
| HMICFRS’s Investigation into the Policing of the Sarah Everard Vigil on Saturday 13 March 2021 (2) | 2021/1369 | 27 May 2021 |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner (Supplementary) [1] | 21 July 2022 | |
| Metropolitan Police Commissioner | 2022/2487 | 21 July 2022 |
| Metropolitan Police Files to Crown Prosecution Service | 2019/17765 | 12 September 2019 |
| Hit and run prosecutions 2021 | 2022/2575 | 21 July 2022 |
| Metropolitan Police Service Sirens Noise Pollution | 2022/2358 | 21 July 2022 |
| London Hospital Callouts for Metropolitan Police Assistance | 2022/2468 | 21 July 2022 |