Police face criticism for arrests as coronation weekend continues

The Culture Secretary says the Met Police got the "balance right" between allowing protest and enjoyment of the King's coronation.

Lucy Frazer defended the force after it was heavily criticised by MPs and human rights groups over dozens of arrests.

The chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, who was among 52 people arrested on Saturday, was released after nearly 16 hours in police custody.

Graham Smith tweeted that there was "no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK".

Ms Frazer denied that officers had gone too far.

The Cabinet minister said: "What they have to do is balance the right to protest, which is important in a democracy. At the same time there's the right of all those other people to enjoy what was a fabulous day.

"I think, overall, they managed to get that balance right."

She said it was right of the police to take into account the context of the event, as it took place on the world stage with hundreds of foreign dignitaries attending and had national security implications.

The Met confirmed 52 people were arrested for affray, public order offences, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance around the coronation.

Under the controversial new Public Order Act, protesters who have an object with the intention of using it to "lock on" are liable to a fine, with those who block roads facing 12 months in prison.

Asked whether she trusted the police to use the new laws, Ms Frazer said: "Yes, I do trust them to use those new powers.

"I have huge confidence in the police.

"I think it's absolutely right that they have the powers that they need in order to ensure that people can go to go on their day-to-day lives at the same time as respecting people's rights to protest."

The new laws were intended to "redress the balance" after a recent change in demonstrators' tactics, she said.

"We've seen in this country a rise in protests and the way people are protesting that is interfering with the rights of people to go around their daily life."

Metropolitan Police Commander Karen Findlay acknowledged concerns about the arrest of protesters but defended Scotland Yard's actions, saying: "Our duty is to do so in a proportionate manner in line with relevant legislation."

The Met said it received information that protesters were "determined to disrupt" the coronation - including defacing public monuments with paint, breaching barriers and disrupting official movements.

Campaigners said the protests were "peaceful", describing the arrests as "a dangerous precedent for us as a democratic nation".

The Liberal Democrats' deputy leader said she had "concerns" the police may not have got the balance right in handling protests.

"Some of that information is unfolding. But, on the face of it, I do have concerns," Daisy Cooper told Ridge.

"What worries is me is that the Conservative government have now increased these sort of wide-ranging powers ... what they haven't done is enshrined the sort of legal responsibility and the duty on the police to actually facilitate peaceful protest."

Labour frontbencher Wes Streeting said it was important for police to provide "accountability" over concerns raised about how demonstrators were treated.

"Where concerns have been raised, whether that's by Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, or people more generally just concerned about they've read in the papers or seen on the telly, it's important that the police provide that accountability," the shadow health secretary told the same programme.

Coronation concert at Windsor Castle

Today there's a huge security operation in place in the Berkshire town of Windsor ahead of the Coronation Concert this evening.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will be among those in attendance at Windsor Castle.

Thames Valley Police have got officers from across the country supporting their teams.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's urging people without tickets not to turn up outside the castle.

The show in Windsor, hosted by Paddington and Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville, will see Hollywood star Tom Cruise, Dynasty actress Dame Joan Collins, adventurer Bear Grylls and singer Sir Tom Jones appear via video message.

The series of pre-recorded sketches will reveal little-known facts about the monarch and will also include moments from beloved literary figure Winnie the Pooh - seemingly echoing the famous moment Paddington Bear drank tea with the Queen during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

There will also be performances by Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, veteran rock guitarist Steve Winwood, and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls.

Classical acts including Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel and Chinese pianist Lang Lang will perform too.

The Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art will come together for the first time to create a one-off performance featuring Sex Education and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Olivier Award nominee Mei Mac.

Ahead of the show on Sunday evening, thousands of street parties are expected to be held with people encouraged to come together across the country for the Coronation Big Lunch.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend a big lunch in Cranleigh, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will attend a community street party in Swindon, and Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will attend a big lunch in Windsor.

On Saturday, the coronation brought together around 100 heads of state, kings and queens from across the globe, celebrities, everyday heroes and family and friends of Charles and Camilla.

The couple, in lavish robes and wearing their crowns, appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony twice as crowds braved downpours during a ceremonial military celebration not seen for 70 years.

Making their first balcony appearance of the King's reign, the couple looked relaxed after the momentous coronation, watched around the globe.

It was the fulfilment of Charles' destiny, but followed the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, after a 70-year reign.

Pomp and pageantry were to the fore on Saturday, with the Armed Forces staging the biggest ceremonial military operation since Queen Elizabeth's II 1953 coronation, culminating in a 4,000-strong coronation procession of servicemen and women from across the globe, that wound its way through the heart of the capital.

Meanwhile, as part of the Coronation Concert, choreographed lasers, projections and drone displays will radiate over historic bridges and buildings.

Seven of the 10 locations involved in the event, Lighting up the Nation, have been disclosed so far, including Blackpool seafront in Lancashire, where people can join a viewing party from Blackpool Tower.

Sheffield Town Hall will showcase a display in the Peace Gardens, while Newcastle'sTyne Bridge and Gateshead's Millennium Bridge lights will cast riverside reflections for an audience stretching between the quays.

A drone show will light up the sky above the Eden Project in Cornwall, and its biomes will become multicoloured for spectators invited from the local volunteer community.

Light shows will also brighten up Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff at various locations.

The remaining three locations will be revealed during the concert.

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