MP distressed by ‘ugly scenes’ as police dispersed protesters

THE MP who represents the areas of Bristol which have seen a week of controversial protests has spoken of her distress at the “ugly scenes”.

Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire said yesterday that she was saddened and distressed to see riots in her Bristol West constituency.

She said: “There is no excuse for this violence, which has left people injured and public property destroyed. I support police efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

“I am also speaking to constituents who tell me policing was too aggressive or forceful in the recent demonstrations. I am following up these allegations, including in regular communications with the Chief Constable.

“The ugly scenes over the last week are a distraction from very real concerns about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which I oppose in its current form for many reasons.”

She added that with lockdown restrictions eased yesterday so that demonstrations can go ahead legally she’d like organisers of any future protests to work with police to ensure they are peaceful.

She said: “At a time when Bristol is in the spotlight, I believe we can show the country that we Bristolians know how to campaign peacefully for the change we really need.”

It comes as a group of 16 Labour candidates at the upcoming city council elections put their names to an open letter condemning what they alleged were “chilling” scenes of police using “excessive force”.

The group’s letter is in stark contrast to the Labour Mayor of Bristol’s defence of police and the tactics used to clear people staging sitdown protests on College Green.