Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell will be interviewed by police over their attendance at a Palestinian rally. The MPs have agreed to be grilled under caution.
Ex-Labour leader Corbyn, 75, and Shadow Chancellor McDonnell, 73, will be spoken to as part of an Metropolitan Police probe. The force is investigating claims organised planned to breach rules around the rally.
The Mirror reports the BBC said the probe centred on an alleged coordinated effort by organisers to breach conditions imposed on the event in London on Saturday.
The force did not identify the individuals, but said: “Three men have agreed to attend voluntarily at a Central London Police Station today to be interviewed under criminal caution as officers investigate a coordinated effort by organisers to breach conditions.
“The 75-year-old, 73-year-old and 61-year-old will be interviewed by officers this afternoon.” Earlier Mr Corbyn had disputed the Met’s account of the rally on X.
He said: “This is not an accurate description of events at all. I was part of a delegation of speakers, who wished to peacefully carry and lay flowers in memory of children in Gaza who had been killed.”
“This was facilitated by the police. We did not force our way through. When we reached Trafalgar Square, we informed police that we would go no further, lay down flowers and disperse.
“At that point, the Chief Steward, Chris Nineham was arrested. We then turned back and dispersed. I urge the police to release all bodycam footage and retract its misleading account of events.”
Mr McDonnell also echoed the comments saying he spoke at the demonstration on Saturday, adding: “We did not force our way thru, the police allowed us to go thru & when stopped in Trafalgar Square we laid our flowers down & dispersed.”
The Met also said 10 people had been charged with public order offences following the Palestine Solidarity Campaign event in central London.
They included Mr Corbyn’s brother, Piers Corbyn. They added that following arrests yesterday, 24 people have been bailed while 48 remain in custody.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.