Debbonaire: ‘There is no excuse for this violence’

Thangam Debbonaire says that she is “saddened and distressed” by the events on the streets of Bristol over the last week following three ‘kill the bill’ protests.

The MP for Bristol West, whose constituency covers the area that has seen the most trouble, said that “there is no excuse for this violence, which has left people injured and public property destroyed”.

She added: “I support police efforts to bring those responsible to justice.”

In a statement released on Monday evening, eight days after the first riot, Debbonaire also said that she has been speaking to constituents “who tell me policing was too aggressive or forceful in the recent demonstrations”.

She said that she is following up these allegations and is in regular communication with Avon & Somerset Constabulary chief constable Andy Marsh and other senior officers.

“I am receiving regular updates and will continue to push for these incidents to be fully investigated.

“I am also in regular contact with local journalists, city centre residents, protesters and people who think the demonstrations should have been postponed because of the Covid risk. All have valid viewpoints that must be listened to.

“The ugly scenes over the last week are a distraction from very real concerns about the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill, which I oppose in its current form – for many reasons, not least because it would shut down peaceful protest.

“It also completely fails to address the pervasive problem of violence against women. All four Labour MPs in Bristol voted against this Bill.”

Debbonaire said that with lockdown restrictions reduced on Monday and with demonstrations now able to go ahead legally, “I’d really like organisers of any new protests to work with the police to help ensure that peaceful protest can go ahead”.

“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.”

Debbonaire’s comments come as 18 Labour candidates in May’s local elections and one serving councillor, Carole Johnson (who is also a magistrate), say that they “absolutely condemn uses of excessive force” by police during the three protests so far.

In a joint statement, they say: “As city council candidates we are deeply concerned about the videos circulating on social media which appear to show police using excessive force against protestors.

“These include videos of sitting protestors with their hands up being beaten on their heads and necks with riot shields, a protester lying prone on the floor being hit with a baton, and individuals being flung to the floor without any apparent provocation.

“Of particular concern are the reports of multiple journalists being intimidated and in some cases assaulted by the police.

“We condemn all violence. These scenes are chilling and should be of great concern to anyone who cares about civil liberties, regardless of views on the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill or the demands of the protests.

“We absolutely condemn uses of excessive force. These incidents need to be fully, independently investigated and those responsible held to account.”

Main photo: Anya Agulova / @ascendphotographicinsta

Read more: Mayor of Bristol responds to Friday’s ‘kill the bill’ protests