“The resilience of the Palestinian people will not be broken- and nor will our solidarity. Rest assured, we will be here for as long as it takes until there is a free and independent Palestine.”
By Matt Willgress
The Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service have decided not to take any further action against Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell (former Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Chancellor respectively) following a national demonstration for Palestine in London on January 18th 2025.
The pair issued the following joint statment:
“Today’s decision is a victory for the right to demonstrate against genocide. We would like to express our sincere thanks to Martin Howe and the legal team for their support.
Our peaceful demonstrations are made up of people of all backgrounds and faiths, united in a demand to end human suffering. It is only right that the charges against our fellow protestors Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal are now dropped.
The resilience of the Palestinian people will not be broken — and nor will our solidarity. Rest assured, we will be here for as long as it takes until there is a free and independent Palestine.”
In addition to this joint statement, Jeremy Corbyn said the following:
“Over the past 20 months, Palestinians have been forced to endure unimaginable levels of suffering. Millions of us have been utterly appalled by our government’s complicity in crimes against humanity. We continue to campaign because human beings continue to die.
Today’s decision must be a turning point for the right to demonstrate against genocide. The charges against Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal must now be dropped.
The tide is turning. Last week, we passed a major hurdle in establishing an independent, public inquiry into the UK’s involvement in genocide. This issue is not going away – and we will not give up until we have brought about justice for the Palestinian people.”
John McDonnell also offered further comment:
“I have been proud to participate in the numerous peaceful demonstrations in support of securing peace and justice for the Palestinian people.
Of course, I am pleased that the Crown Prosecution Service and Met have decided not to prosecute. However, if marching in a peaceful protest has now become even considered potentially to be a crime in our country we have entered a truly worrying political moment. I am calling for the charges against our fellow protestors Chris Nineham and Ben Jamal to be dropped. Rest assured I will continue to march and protest for an end to the genocide taking place in Gaza.”
- Jeremy Corbyn is the Member of Parliament for Islington North- you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and TikTok.
- John McDonnell is the Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington- you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please consider becoming a supporter on Patreon.
