The ex-Labour leader, 75, and Shadow Chancellor, 73, who both currently sit as independents in the Commons, will voluntarily attend a police station in London
MPs Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have agreed to be interviewed by police under caution after attending a pro-Palestine rally.
The ex-Labour leader, 75, and Shadow Chancellor, 73, who both currently sit as independents in the Commons, will voluntarily attend a police station, the BBC reported.
The Metropolitan Police is investigating what it claims was a coordinated effort by organisers to breach conditions imposed on the demonstration in London on Saturday.
The force did not identify the individuals, but said: “Three men have agreed to attend voluntarily at a Central London Police Station today to be interviewed under criminal caution as officers investigate a coordinated effort by organisers to breach conditions.
“The 75-year-old, 73-year-old and 61-year-old will be interviewed by officers this afternoon.”
Mr Corbyn had earleir disputed the Met’s account of the rally on X on Saturday. The force said: “Officers were holding the line at the top of Whitehall to stop any groups marching which would be a breach of the conditions.
“Despite their efforts a large group has forced its way through and are in Trafalgar Square.”
BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan, Jason Beattie, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke, Ashley Cowburn, Mikey Smith
POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
But Mr Corbyn responded on X: “This is not an accurate description of events at all. I was part of a delegation of speakers, who wished to peacefully carry and lay flowers in memory of children in Gaza who had been killed. This was facilitated by the police. We did not force our way through.”
He added: “When we reached Trafalgar Square, we informed police that we would go no further, lay down flowers and disperse. At that point, the Chief Steward, Chris Nineham was arrested. We then turned back and dispersed.
“I urge the police to release all bodycam footage and retract its misleading account of events.”
Mr McDonnell also echoed the comments after speaking at the demonstration on Saturday,
He said: “We did not force our way [through], the police allowed us to go [through] & when stopped in Trafalgar Square we laid our flowers down & dispersed.”
The former Shadow Chancellor, who had the Labour whip suspended last year, also urged the Met to publish their body camera footage of a conversation he had with an officer.
The Met also said 10 people had been charged with public order offences following the Palestine Solidarity Campaign event in central London. They included Mr Corbyn’s brother, Piers Corbyn.
They added that following arrests, 24 people have been bailed while 48 remain in custody.
