Gary Lineker criticises Suella Braverman for branding a planned Pro-Palestinian ... trends now
BBC presenter Gary Lineker waded into the row over controversial plans for a pro-Palestinian demonstration in London on Armistice Day today, after the Home Secretary branded it a 'hate march'.
The former England striker hit out at Suella Braverman after she urged police to 'ensure public safety', warning of an 'obvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage, as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people'.
Rishi Sunak has already hit out at proposals over fears of damage to the Cenotaph on Whitehall on November 11, branding it 'provocative and disrespectful' on a day when millions of people pause to remember those killed in wars in the past century.
The condemnation came amid political buck-passing over who can block the demonstration, with mayor Sadiq Khan accusing ministers of 'posturing' and insisting it is down to Mrs Braverman.
After she appeared to pass responsibility on to the police, Mr Lineker, who has courted controversy in the past over his political statements while working for the national broadcaster, replied: 'Marching and calling for a ceasefire and peace so that more innocent children don't get killed is not really the definition of a hate march.'
But he in turn was tackled by historian and broadcaster Simon Schama, who has also worked for the BBC. Mr Schama, who is Jewish, replied: 'Why would you have a ceasefire with terrorists (Hamas) whose leaders have explicitly said they want to do October 7 again and again until Israel is annihilated?'
Meanwhile Transport Secretary Mark Harper tonight revealed he had granted police powers to block a planned demo at King's Cross station, after a similar protest took over Liverpool Street Station earlier this week.
The former England striker hit out at Suella Braverman after she urged police to 'ensure public safety', warning of an 'obvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage, as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people'.
But he in turn was tackled by historian and broadcaster Simon Schama, who has also worked for the BBC. Mr Schama, who is Jewish, replied: 'Why would you have a ceasefire with terrorists (Hamas) whose leaders have explicitly said they want to do October 7 again and again until Israel is annihilated?'
Sharing a post by Mr Sunak in which he described such a demonstration as 'provocative and disrespectful', the Home Secretary had tweeted: 'I agree with the Prime Minister. It is entirely unacceptable to desecrate Armistice Day with a hate march through London.'
Marches have been held in London every weekend since the Hamas terror attacks of October 7. Pictured are protesters on Westminster Bridge last Saturday
Sharing a post by Mr
