Pro-Palestinian protesters swarm Royal Navy officers calling them 'baby killers' as they storm Ministry of Defence HQ in 'disgraceful' protest
Pro-Palestinian protesters confronted Royal Navy officers calling them 'baby butchers' as they stormed the Ministry of Defence HQ.
Video footage shows protesters heckling uniformed armed forces personnel, with cries of 'shame on you' as they entered the MoD building in Whitehall on Friday.
Dozens of demonstrators, some wearing masks and others flying Palestine flags, headed towards the main entrance of the MoD after beginning their demonstration at The Strand.
A drumbeat could be heard alongside the chants as police attempted to calm crowds and prevent their entry into the building.
Footage from after the first charge showed that the MoD building’s protective blast doors had been raised.
In a post on X, Mike Tapp, Labour MP and Home Office minister for migration and citizenship, desrcibed the protest as 'disgraceful'.
Re-sharing one video of the incident, he said: 'Instead of being at work (maybe unemployable), they choose to intimidate MoD staff who are working hard to keep our country safe.
The protesters also drew criticism from Reform UK MP Richard Tice, who described their behaviour as 'shameful intimidation by the mob of pro-Hamas, pro-Iranian regime folk', in a post on X.
Dozens of demonstrators, some wearing masks and others flying Palestine flags, headed towards the main entrance of the MoD after beginning their demonstration at The Strand
Footage from after the first charge showed that the MoD building’s protective blast doors had been raised
Retired major Andrew Fox, senior associate fellow at the neoconservative Henry Jackson Society (HSJ) think tank, said the behaviour crosses 'a serious line', and risks undermining the 'basic respect and protection owed to those in public service'.
In a statement, he said: 'Swarming and surrounding senior service personnel as they carry out their duties is not legitimate protest.
'It is intimidation of those serving the country.
'Our armed forces should be able to go about their work without fear of harassment or being targeted in this way.
'There is also a clear security risk. Filming and circulating footage of military personnel is not harmless.
'It can expose identities, routines, and potentially put both them and their families at risk.
'People have every right to protest. But grievances about government policy should be directed through democratic channels and at elected decision makers, not at service personnel who don't set that policy.'
An MoD spokesman said: 'We respect the right to peaceful protest.
'The safety and security of our personnel and buildings is always our priority, and appropriate security measures are in place.'
The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.
