A volunteer Metropolitan Police officer is under investigation after allegedly attempting to intimidate Al Jazeera journalists covering a suspected antisemitic arson attack in Golders Green, north-west London.
The off-duty special constable, David Soffer, 34, was identified by the investigative outlet Declassified UK after footage emerged showing a verbal altercation between residents and the TV crew. In the video, Soffer is heard calling a Palestinian journalist a “dog” and a “donkey” in Arabic, and telling him to “go back to Qatar”.
The Met Police said on Thursday: “We’re aware of the footage showing the verbal altercation between local residents and journalists. Freedom of the press is important and journalists must be able to do their job without being subject to intimidation or harassment.” The force added that officers on duty had intervened, but acknowledged an extended period where the journalists were placed in a difficult situation, leading them to leave the area.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the suburb, which has a large Jewish population. On Monday, people had gathered at the site of an attack on four ambulances belonging to Hatzola, a community ambulance service. One man was heard saying: “No one needs Al Jazeera here.” Reporters from the Press Association heard the group shout “go home” and accuse the journalists of “terrorist propaganda”.
The Met confirmed that the matter involving Soffer has been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards for assessment. Meanwhile, two men arrested in connection with the arson attack have been released on bail until April. The men, aged 47 and 45, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
