Three charged following pro-Palestinian demo outside Sir Keir Starmer's home
The three - from Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne - have been charged with public order offences
Last updated 10th Apr 2024
Three people have been charged with public order offences following a pro-Palestine demonstration outside Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's home yesterday (Tues 9th April).
A Metropolitan Police statement said: "Two women and a man arrested in Kentish Town on Tuesday April 9 have been charged with public order offences and will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
"Leonorah Ward, 21, of Beechwood Mount, Burley, Leeds, Zosia Lewis, 23, of Rokeby Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne and Daniel Formentin, 24, of Woodside Avenue, Burley, Leeds, will appear before the court on Wednesday, April 10.
"All have been charged with section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 and for breaching court bail.
"The arrests were made on Tuesday, April 9 under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
"This power stops the harassment of a person at their home address if an officer suspects it is causing alarm or distress to the occupant."
On Tuesday, demonstrators hung a banner outside Sir Keir's house that read: "Starmer stop the killing", surrounded by red hand prints.
Protesters then laid rows of children's shoes in front of the Labour leader's door, a tactic that has been utilised at a number of pro-Palestine protests to signify children killed in Gaza.
Concern over protests outside politicians' homes
Following the arrests Home Secretary James Cleverly posted to X: "There is no excuse for harassing and intimidating politicians and their families in their homes.
"It's unacceptable and I'm glad the police have arrested and charged those involved."
On Tuesday the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose home was targeted by climate protesters last year, posted to X: "I don't care what your politics are, no MP should be harassed at their own home. We cannot and will not tolerate this."