Two people have been arrested after police had to help Sir Keir Starmer escape from a group of protesters who surrounded him near Parliament. The Labour leader was protected by officers and left the area by car after the incident on Monday afternoon.
Protesters could be heard shouting “traitor” and criticising Sir Keir’s record on Covid, with some also heard yelling “Jimmy Savile”. The false claim that Sir Keir failed to prosecute the serial sex offender when he was director of public prosecutions was made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Parliament last week.
Police confirmed that a man and a woman were arrested after a traffic cone was thrown at an officer. Sir Keir returned safely to his office and was not harmed, Labour has said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the “absolutely disgraceful” behaviour and thanked police for responding swiftly, but has faced renewed calls from Conservative MPs to apologise for his Savile comment. The incident has reignited anger inside the Tory party over Mr Johnson’s refusal to fully retract the claim.
Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “This is what happens when fake news is amplified and given credibility by people who should know better.” Former senior Tory MP Sir David Lidington described the incident as “completely appalling”.
