Gary Lineker criticises Suella Braverman for branding a planned Pro-Palestinian demo on Armistice Day as a ‘hate march’ as BBC presenter says those taking part just want a ‘ceasefire and peace’

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 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.

‘If it goes ahead there is an obvious risk of serious public disorder, violence and damage as well as giving offence to millions of decent British people.

‘I have full confidence in the Metropolitan Police to ensure public safety and take all factors into account as they have done in similar situations in the past.’

The Metropolitan Police has vowed to use ‘all its powers’ to stop pro-Palestine protesters disrupting Armistice Day commemorations. 

Protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza are planning to take to the streets of London on Saturday November 11. Marches involving tens of thousands of people will also take place in cities across the UK tomorrow. 

There are fears marchers could disrupt the two-minute silence commemorating the war dead as well as the daytime and evening Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. The latter is usually attended by members of the Royal Family. 

Posting on the X social media site, Mr Sunak said: ‘To plan protests on Armistice Day is provocative and disrespectful, and there is a clear and present risk that the Cenotaph and other war memorials could be desecrated, something that would be an affront to the British public and the values we stand for.

‘The right to remember, in peace and dignity, those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms must be protected.

‘I have asked the Home Secretary to support the Met Police in doing everything necessary to protect the sanctity of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.’

Tom Tugendhat, the security minister and a veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, today called the protests ‘inappropriate’ and said he had written to Mr Khan to ask him to consider the ‘options available’. 

Protesters clash with police during a demonstration on Whitehall on October 28. Saturday has been the main day for pro-Palestine marches in London and across the UK 

Organisers of the demo have pledged to avoid the Whitehall area where the Cenotaph war memorial – the focus of national remembrance events – is located.

But Mr Tugendhat told BBC Breakfast: ‘Let’s be clear, the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign has said that they want to march on Remembrance Sunday, and that is a matter of great concern to me.’

He added: ‘It is a moment where we remember those we lost, and I think for the whole country the Cenotaph is sacred ground and the idea that on a day like Remembrance Day you would have a protest going past it, I don’t think that is acceptable.

‘That is why I have written to the Mayor of London, and to Westminster Council, and to the Metropolitan Police asking them to look very carefully at the powers that they have and to consider what options they have available, because personally I don’t think this is an appropriate moment for a protest.’

However, Mr Khan shot back: ‘If this security minister knew his brief, he would know the only person in the country that can ban marches is the Home Secretary – his colleague in Cabinet.

‘So rather than writing these public letters to me, rather than this posturing when he’s doing media – speak to the Home Secretary.’

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