Scotland Yard is investigating reports one of its officers was filmed intimidating journalists after an arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in Golders Green.
Not just any journalists of course…
Special Constable David Soffer is allegedly seen at the front of a group of men that surrounded the Al Jazeera film crew shouting “go home”.One Palestinian reporter is reportedly called a “dog” and a “donkey” in Arabic and told to “Go back to Qatar”.
It doesn’t say that he was saying that, merely that he was in the presence of people saying that. But it was against people the Met holds in high regard - Muslims - so his goose is probably cooked.
The Metropolitan Police told the Standard: “We are aware that an off-duty serving Met special constable was involved in the altercation.
“The matter has been referred to the Directorate of Professional Standards for assessment.”
“Freedom of the press is important and journalists must be able to do their job without being subject to intimidation or harassment.”
“Officers did intervene but we recognise that there was an extended period where the journalists were put in a difficult situation which led them to leave the area.
“Officers on duty in the area have been asked to be alert to any similar altercations in the coming days.
“We will be reviewing the footage to identify whether any offences were committed.”
So you don't even know if the people at the scene, never mind your employee, did anything illegal?
Local residents in the London suburb, which has a large Jewish population, were filmed surrounding reporters from the Qatar-based media company on Monday, with one man telling them that “no-one needs Al Jazeera here”. Reporters from the Press Association heard the group shout at the journalists, calling them “terrorist sympathisers” and accusing them of “terrorist propaganda”.
Yes, they are.
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