Police dispersal of Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard is condemned as Home Secretary asks for ‘full report’

Home Secretary Priti Patel has asked Scotland Yard for a “full report” amid criticism of the Met’s handling of mourners at a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard at Clapham Common this evening.

Some called for the Metropolitan Police’s Commissioner Cressida Dick to quit as London Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged that officers’ handling of the meeting at the common bandstand was at times “not appropriate nor proportionate” and he would be “urgently seeking an explanation”.

Some of those present became angry after police tried to forcibly remove speakers from the podium wanting to pay tribute from the marketing executive from Brixton.

Scuffles broke out as the police tried to disperse the gathering around 6.30pm, with officers accused of “manhandling and grabbing” members of the crowd, several of whom they arrested. It has prompted condemnation from MPs.

The Duchess of Cambridge had earlier attended thepark to pay her  respects to Miss Everard because she “remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night before she got married”.

An official vigil was cancelled this morning, but thousands still went to the common including the Duchess of Cambridge, and sources close to Kensington Palace told The Telegraph: “The Duchess wanted to pay her respects to Sarah and her family. She remembers what it felt like to walk around London at night before she got married.”

From the doorstep of Number 10 to the homes of celebrities and activists, the 33-year-old was remembered this evening. Reclaim These Streets suggested lighting candles after in-person vigils in honour of Sarah were cancelled amid coronavirus restrictions.