The Metropolitan Police has ceased working with an adviser who was filmed leading a chant of the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
Solicitor Attiq Malik is chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum, which serves as a “strategic advisory body” to Scotland Yard.
Footage shared by The Sunday Telegraph shows Mr Malik leading the controversial chant in 2021 after speaking out against “global censorship by the Zionists”.
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Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described the chant as antisemitic and claimed it is “widely understood” to call for the destruction of Israel.
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The paper reported Mr Malik had been present in the police operations room during protests about the Israel-Hamas war last month.
The Met Police said the language and views expressed by Mr Malik “appear antisemitic and contrary with our values” and it would be “immediately ceasing our relationship” with him while it investigates.
The force said the video “has brought to our attention that the chair of the London Muslim Communities Forum has expressed views in a way which does not align to the Met’s values.”
It added: “We regularly engage with a whole range of community groups, many of which hold strongly opposing views. It is important that we continue to listen to opposing views. This is how we put community voices at the heart of policing London.
“This instance has highlighted past language and views expressed by Attiq Malik that appear antisemitic and contrary with our values.
“As a result we will be immediately ceasing our relationship with Mr Malik whilst we investigate.”
Sky News has contacted Mr Malik for comment.
After the story appeared on the front page of The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Malik posted a quote by Malcolm X on X, formerly known as Twitter, reading: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
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The Met Police has promised to crack down on lawbreakers at pro-Palestinian protests, with the prime minister condemning plans for a march on Armistice Day on 11 November as “provocative and disrespectful”.
Rishi Sunak wrote to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley saying there was “a clear and present risk” war memorials such as the Cenotaph “could be desecrated”.
Earlier in the week, the home secretary branded pro-Palestinian protests “hate marches”.
