SARAH BACKLASH
MEMORIAL IS A FOCUS FOR GRIEF
THOUSANDS of women descended on Parliament last night in protest at how cops broke up a vigil for Sarah Everard.
They shouted “shame on you” at officers at Scotland Yard and Parliament Square while more floral tributes to Sarah were laid in Clapham Common, where she went missing on March 3.
Footage of protester Patsy Stevenson being held to the ground by police at Saturday’s Reclaim the Streets demonstration in Clapham went viral.
Ms Stevenson said she attended in support of women who cannot walk down the street by themselves for “fear of men”. London mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “not satisfied” with the explanation given by Met Police chiefs after Saturday’s demo ended in scuffles and four arrests.
Met Commissioner yesterday Dame Cressida Dick rejected calls for her to
quit. She said her officers had been forced to uphold anti-covid rules.
Ms Dick said she understood the “strength of feeling”, but added: “We’re still in a pandemic. Unlawful gatherings are unlawful gatherings. Officers have to take action if people are putting themselves massively at risk.
“All the women and men of the Met are outraged at what has happened and they’re working as hard as they can to get justice for Sarah. I understand why so many people wanted to come and pay their respects and make a statement about this. Indeed, if it had been lawful, I’d have been there, I’d have been at a vigil. “And six hours was really calm and peaceful, very few police officers around, respectful, people laying flowers, not gathering, and a vigil that did not breach the regulations. “Unfortunately, later on, we had a really big crowd that gathered and quite rightly, my team felt this is now an unlawful gathering which poses a considerable risk to people’s health.”
Ms Dick said “a small minority” of those gathering refused to disperse when asked.
Asked if she was considering resigning her post as Met chief, she said: “No, I’m not.” But Women’s Equality Party cofounder Catherine Mayer said the police chief’s position was “untenable”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has ordered a full report, admitting she found footage of the operation “upsetting”.
The Duchess of Cambridge has laid flowers at the memorial on Clapham Common, near where Sarah, 33, was last seen. The marketing executive’s body was found in a wood in Ashford, Kent.
Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, appeared in court on Saturday charged with her kidnap and murder, and was remanded in custody.
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CHELTENHAM kicks off X-rated moniker which tomorrow and while things somehow has slipped through might be a bit different this year the standards’ net, there have due to Covid, there’s one thing been some side-splitting names which is sure to raise a smile – in racing history.
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the wacky racehorse names. Here NADINE LINGE
Whether it’s a tongue-twister to saddles up for a look at make a commentator sweat or an some of the funniest.
Sheila Blige: But will she? This chestnut filly only had one win in 12 races between 2001 and 2002.
Hoof Hearted: This nag’s a real gas when you say its name fast.
Geespot: A cheeky moniker perfect for the offspring of Pursuit Of Love and My Discovery.
Bad News: This nag got its name because “bad news travels fast”. It went on to win 47 races over eight years.
Sotally Tober: You can only pronounce this right after a couple of Guinnesses.
Maythehorsebewithyou: One for the Star Wars fans, this horse used the force to come fifth in Australia’s famous Melbourne Cup.
Wear The Fox Hat: Sadly this naughty name was spotted by an eagle-eyed official on his debut outing – and, after some quick paperwork, had to run under “Noname”.
Whykickamoocow: Pity the commentator that had to shout out this US horse’s moniker.
Weareagrandmother: If you want to name your horse after a person, you have to have their permission. Margaret Thatcher turned down writer Clement
Freud – so he came up with this.
Passing Wind: No wonder he won by a distance on both his first-placed races… you wouldn’t want to be behind.
Noble Locks: Say it quickly – but not in polite company.
Finmental: No-one noticed this naughty until another horse ran Hesfinmentaltoo.
Doremifasalatido: Someone’s a fan of The Sound Of Music, but probably not the really name called announcer Robbie Fowler and Steve this out. Mcmanaman bought these two –
Ha Ha Ha: The last laugh was on another fail for commentators. the owners – in a six-race career, Big T*ts: This French-trained he finished last twice and was filly boobed on the track, finishing pulled up on two other occasions. unplaced in six races.
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Arrrrr: Whoever named this Others failed to make it past American gelding must have been the British Horse Racing watching too much pirate TV. Authority. But we can just about
Step on Degas: A highbrow mention: Chit Hot, Harry Balzitch, pun for this racer. Pee Ness, Hucking Fell, Norfolk
Some Horse/another Horse: Enchants, Ivana Tinkle, Former Liverpool team-mates Olibeefhooked, Pee Nesenvy. who had to shout