Police clash with disabled protesters as they try to storm House of Commons chamber during Prime Minister's Questions

[blacksunday]

olice have clashed with angry disabled protesters inside the Houses of Parliament after they tried to force their way into Prime Minister's Questions.

Witnesses said one police officer "punched" one of the wheelchair user's personal carers, while another onlooker said an officer restrained a woman by applying pressure to her neck as the group moved from Parliament's Central Lobby towards the House of Commons chamber.

The footage below captures the moment when protesters attempted to enter the Houses of Parliament.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/police-clash-with-disabled-protesters-as-they-try-to-storm-house-of-commons-chamber-during-prime-ministers-questions-10342106.html

[VikingVolva]

Yes, the police do tend to use force when ejecting people from the commons Chamber, and those who have made it in have been successfully prosecuted in the past.

It's a major security breach, and will probably lead to even tighter controls.

[blacksunday]

I think you're missing the point, Volva.

[Isitmebut]

The point being that the police should pussy foot with anyone trying to 'storm' parliament if disabled?

Who else qualifies;

The homeless?

The jobless?

Those who have been allegedly sexually assaulted by MP's?

[silveroldie2]

It's irrelevant whether they were disabled or not. They were there illegally and of course the police should remove them. I've been disabled for many years, and wasn't aware that gave me carte blanche to do exactly as I pleased, legal or not.

[AnyoneForTennis]

which point is volva missing op?

[LazyLouLou]

Another of those apparently well meaning yet utterly patronising posts, it seems.

[LazyLouLou]

Oh! I have just thought... the point volva, and all other posters, is missing...

This is one of the unintended consequences of disabled access, isn't it? Stupid politicians, if they hadn't put ramps in this would never have happened. Serves them right!

Am I right OP? Am I?

Pah!

[MonstrousRatbag]

If the police used unnecessary or disproportionate force, I hope the officers concerned get disciplined for it. Punching a carer in the face sounds pretty bad, I think s/he would have to be doing something fairly awful for that to be appropriate.

However, I am bearing in mind that what is disproportionate or unnecessary depends very much on the circumstances. Trying to rush the Commons chamber is a major security breach/risk and the police response is going to be a lot more robust because of that.

[AnyoneForTennis]

Yes punchng someone in the face would be awful.... If it happened

[Thclockstrucktwo]

how about why they were protesting? The closure of the ILF is a huge deal.

[chickenfuckingpox]

im torn three ways really one, they shouldn't be so rough with disabled people two, disabled people should not be storming the house of commons three, they have a valid reason to protest

my arse has splinters from fence hopping!!!

[Varya]

Very concerned that the police clashed with disabled people. What a way to treat wheelchair users.

[aladyofindeterminateage]

There are armed police in and around all the entrances to the HOC.
Only someone very foolish would attempt to storm the place.

Everyone has the right to peaceful protest outside Westminster. Every time I have been there there is some sort of protest going on and the police always appear to be very tolerant.

I do completely support the cause of the disabled people who were protesting, but they should have done it legally and safely.

[AnyoneForTennis]

Well yes, why were nt they peacefully protesting like everyone else?