‘My face was covered in blood’: Protester claims she was attacked by right-wing group and police at drag event

A pro-LGBTQ+ protester who was defending drag storytelling sessions outside a pub on Saturday has claimed that she was punched in the face by a police officer while providing someone with first aid.

Witnesses to the clash outside the Honor Oak Pub in St German’s Road, Forest Hill on Saturday have reported that police used excessive force against pro-LGBT+ protesters and failed to intervene quickly when violence broke out.

On Saturday morning, Turning Point UK (TPUK) protesters were met by anti-fascist and pro-LGBTQ+ counter protesters, who were defending storytelling sessions by drag queen That Girl.

Ada Cable, 30, who lives near the Honor Oak Pub, claimed she was hit by a TPUK protester and then later by a police officer.

She said: “I was holding on to my flag and I wouldn’t let go, so one of the TPUK protesters punched me twice, on the left side of my face – they hit my forehead, my nose and eye.

“Someone took my place in line, and I went back to get first aid-my face was covered in blood.”

Ms Cable said around five minutes after the window was broken police officers intervened and broke up the two groups.

She said: “Around 30 minutes after I got punched, and after police had arrived, I was helping someone else who was injured.

“We were crouched on the ground and a couple of people had stood between us and the road to give us privacy.

“The police decided to arrest the person giving us privacy, and charged in and began grabbing and shoving people.

“I was still crouched on the floor, but one of them punched me in the face. I can tell the difference between a shove and a punch.

“This was a punch, on my right eye – I’ve got a second black eye which I didn’t have before the police tried to arrest that person.”

TPUK was launched in 2019 as a UK offshoot of a pro-Donald Trump US campaign. Its website describes its goal as to “end the tyranny of woke ideology”.

After the drag storytelling event finished, TPUK left the area, and Ms Cable went to A&E.

At the hospital she was told she had mild concussion and that her nose might be broken. She has a follow-up from a specialist team next week.

Four arrests were made and two people have been charged.

A spokesman for the Met said: “We are aware of a photo on social media showing a person outside The Honor Oak pub in Lewisham with facial injuries.

“It has been alleged that they were punched by a police officer during an altercation between protest groups on Saturday morning.

“Following enquiries, we believe the person was in the immediate vicinity when officers moved in to the middle of a group of protesters to detain an individual and it is possible that this is when they sustained their injuries.

“Officers attempted to engage with them at the scene about their injuries but they declined any assistance.

“Should they wish to contact us at any point we will be happy to speak to them.”

A TPUK spokesman said: “Despite the violence from ANTIFA, our event was a success and we were able to further raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding children.”

Pictured top: Ada Cable on Saturday after she was assaulted (Picture: Jess O’Thomson, Trans Safety Network)