The Metropolitan Police has announced that 21 individuals who were arrested during the King's Coronation will not face any additional legal action. These arrests, which took place in the
Mall and Whitehall in London on May 6, have been dropped by prosecutors.
The police had faced criticism for their response to the protests, but they defended the arrests, citing concerns about public nuisance threats and the potential for a breach of the peace. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist explained that there were genuine worries about security during the event, as intelligence had suggested that activists might disrupt the procession.
Twist stated, "We had real concerns that such efforts would not only disrupt a once-in-a-lifetime event of enormous national significance, but that they could also compromise the security and safety of participants and the wider public." He added that officers were briefed about these concerns and that proactive measures were necessary to manage the risk and protect public safety and the event's security.
Among those arrested but not charged were three individuals found near the procession route on the day of the Coronation. They were in possession of glue, a banner from a known activist group, Allen keys, and other items that could have been used for criminal damage or disruption. Prosecutors decided against further action, citing a lack of a realistic prospect of conviction.
The police were granted additional powers under the Public Order Act 2023 shortly before the King's Coronation. The event attracted tens of thousands of people to central London, including members of anti-monarchy groups.
Human rights organizations raised concerns about the arrests of anti-monarchy protesters, with eight members of Republic, an organization advocating for a democratically-elected head of state, being detained throughout the day. Among those arrested was Republic's chief executive, Graham Smith, and five others suspected of being equipped to "lock on." Smith, who was held for over 14 hours, disputed claims that the event was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, asserting that it was equally unique for the protesters.
Last month, Smith initiated legal action against the Metropolitan Police, alleging that there was no justification for his arrest. The Met had previously expressed "regret" regarding the arrests. Photo by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Wikimedia commons.