David Davis writes to police after anti-royal protester charged

Tory MP David Davis urges Scotland’s Chief Constable to ensure his officers ‘continue to respect free speech’ after anti-royal protester was charged over ‘stating an opinion’ in public during King’s acclamation in Edinburgh

• A 22-year-old woman was charged after holding up an anti-monarchy placard
• Sign, which read ‘F**k Imperialism, Abolish Monarchy’, was held up on Sunday
• Mr Davis said he hopes the public will remain ‘free to share their opinions’ 

Former minister David Davis has written to police to urge them to ‘continue to respect free speech’ after an anti-royalist protester was charged.

A 22-year-old woman was arrested after holding up an anti-monarchy placard in Edinburgh on Sunday and was subsequently charged ‘in connection with a breach of the pace’.

The sign, which read ‘F**k Imperialism, Abolish Monarchy’, could be seen amongst the crowd who had turned out to hear King Charles be formally proclaimed monarch.

Mr Davis announced on Twitter last night that he has written to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to express his ‘concern’.

He said in his letter if the individual was just ‘stating an opinion’, a ‘liberal approach would be desirable’. 

The former Tory leadership contender also pointed out that since writing his letter, a second person had been charged.

A 22-year-old man was charged with breaching the peace after a spectator heckled the Duke of York as he solemnly marched with a sorrowful King Charles and their siblings behind their mother’s coffin in Edinburgh on Monday. 

Meanwhile, outside the Palace of Westminster, another protester showed her opposition to the new monarch when she held up a poster that read: ‘Abolish the Monarchy’ and ‘Not my King’.

Former minister David Davis has written to police to urge them to ‘continue to respect free speech’ after an anti-royalist protester was charged. A 22-year-old woman was arrested after holding up an anti-monarchy placard (pictured) in Edinburgh on Sunday and was subsequently charged ‘in connection with a breach of the pace’

Mr Davis (left, file photo) announced on Twitter last night that he has written to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland to express his ‘concern’. Right: The MP’s letter

In his letter to Chief Constable Sir Ian Livingstone, Mr Davis wrote: ‘It is not for me to interfere in the judicial process.

‘However, with the accession of our new monarch, I would hope that the police will continue to respect the right to free speech.

‘If the individual concerned committed acts of violence, or the police had reason to believe she would, then action was obviously necessary. 

‘But if the individual was simply stating an opinion, I trust you agree that a liberal approach would be desirable. 

‘I speak as a strong monarchist, but nevertheless, I hope that members of the public will remain free to share their opinions and protest in regard to issues about which they feel strongly’.

Announcing the 22-year-old woman had been charged, a Police Scotland spokesman said on Monday: ‘A 22-year-old woman was arrested outside St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh on Sunday, 11 September, 2022 in connection with a breach of the peace.

‘She was charged and was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.’

She held up her sign whilst the Lord Lyon King of Arms, who is responsible for overseeing state ceremonies in Scotland, formally proclaimed Charles King in Edinburgh.

On Monday morning, another protester showed her opposition towards the new monarch when she held up a poster outside the Palace of Westminster which read ‘Abolish the Monarchy’ and ‘Not my King’.

The woman was led by Met Police officers away from the gates of Parliament, where King Charles and the Queen Consort received condolences from members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

She wore a t-shirt emblazoned with the logo for the Campaign To Abolish The Monarchy, which had called on people to protest against the new King at Parliament Square.

Thousands of people watched in near silence as the Queen’s coffin made its journey up the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on Monday

A Met spokesperson said: ‘A member of the public was asked to move away from the Carriage Gates outside the Palace of Westminster this morning in order to facilitate vehicle access and egress through the gates.

‘She was not arrested and was not asked to leave the wider area.’

It comes after a man was filmed shouting at shamed Prince Andrew as his mother’s hearse slowly made its way up the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral. 

Footage then showed the heckler being shoved to the ground by angry mourners as others in the crowd continue to shout ‘God Save the King’.

Meanwhile in Oxford, a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ‘disorderly behaviour’ after shouting ‘Who elected him?’ as Charles was proclaimed King. He was later de-arrested, Thames Valley Police said. 

Video showed a man shouting at shamed Prince Andrew as his mother’s hearse slowly made its way up the Royal Mile in Scotland’s capital to St Giles’ Cathedral. Footage then showed the heckler being shoved to the ground by angry mourners as others in the crowd continue to shout ‘God Save the King’ 

Mr Davis said above an image of his letter: ‘I wrote to the Chief Constable of Police Scotland yesterday, expressing my concern that an anti-monarchy protester has been charged by police. Since I wrote to him, a second protester has been charged.

‘At a time of national mourning, we should all ensure that we behave respectfully. But we must not sacrifice the principle of free speech upon which modern Britain is built. 

‘I am a staunch monarchist, but republicans have as much right to voice their opinions as anyone else.’ 

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