The Labor leader spoke amid controversy over the arrest of a small number of protesters during royal ceremonies. Sir Keir said the protest was a “great British tradition” but that hundreds of thousands of people wanted to have a “moment” with the Queen. 30-hour queues to see Queen’s coffin lie in state – live updates Asked about the police response to those wishing to protest, Sir Keir told BBC Breakfast: “The word I would use around this is ‘respect’. “I think if people have spent a long time waiting to come forward to have that moment as the casket goes by or whatever it may be, I think you should respect that, because people have made a huge effort to come and have this personal moment to say thank you to Queen Elizabeth II.” Sir Keir added that “obviously we have to respect the fact that some people disagree”.
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“One of the great British traditions is the ability to protest and disagree, but I think it can be done in a spirit of respect,” he said. “Respect the fact that hundreds of thousands of people want to come forward and experience this moment, don’t ruin it for them.” The call for respect comes after senior Tory MP David Davies wrote to the chief constable of Police Scotland to express his concern over the arrest of anti-monarchy activists. He tweeted: “In a time of national mourning, we should all ensure we behave with respect. But we must not sacrifice the principle of free speech on which modern Britain is built. “I’m a staunch monarchist, but republicans have as much right to express their views as anyone else.” Police Scotland have charged two people with alleged breach of the peace following two separate incidents earlier in the week. Read more: Can an anti-monarchy placard get you arrested? Man arrested after riot in Prince Andrew A protester carrying a handmade sign reading “not my king” was also spoken to by police and escorted away from the Palace of Westminster in London. And on Tuesday, Scotland Yard was asked to issue a statement saying the public “absolutely have the right to protest” after a barrister holding a blank sign tweeted video of himself being threatened with arrest in Parliament Square. Civil liberties groups and several MPs have expressed concern over the police actions. But former home secretary Jack Straw said anti-monarchy protests should not take place before the Queen’s funeral to avoid “public order problems”. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:09 Royals met by anti-monarchy protests Alongside the protests, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to wait in long queues to see the Queen lie in state at Westminster Hall from this afternoon until her funeral on Monday. The King and his sons will walk behind the late monarch’s coffin as she leaves Buckingham Palace for the last time. Sir Keir revealed this morning that he would be part of the reception gathering when the Queen’s coffin arrives at Westminster Hall and would also return later to pay his respects privately, accompanied by his wife and children.
