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| UK news live: Patel warns of health and legal risks at BLM protests | UK news live: Patel warns of health and legal risks at BLM protests |
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| Home secretary advises people not to attend protests during coronavirus crisis. Follow the latest updates | Home secretary advises people not to attend protests during coronavirus crisis. Follow the latest updates |
| Here are some more videos from the Queen’s socially distanced birthday ceremony, which was held at Windsor in place of Trooping the Colour. | |
| Several hundred people are now gathered in central London, with many centred around the Cenotaph, PA Media reports. | |
| A large crowd of demonstrators are on Whitehall singing the national anthem. Several were seen wearing military-style hats or jackets. | |
| A line of police officers has advanced, blocking more protesters from accessing the Cenotaph. | |
| The Queen’s official birthday has been marked with a brief but poignant ceremonial tribute from the military – executed with precision despite social distancing. | |
| Soldiers from the Welsh Guards, who a few weeks ago were manning Covid-19 test centres, staged the unique event in the grounds of Windsor Castle, as the head of state made her first official public appearance since the lockdown was imposed. | |
| The traditional Trooping the Colour ceremony, which normally features hundreds of servicemen and women and thousands of spectators, was ruled out because of the coronavirus pandemic. | |
| But the Household Division – made up of the British’s Army’s most prestigious regiments – has a close affinity with the Queen and was keen to mark the milestone with a ceremony dubbed mini-Trooping. | |
| Lance Corporal Chusa Siwale, 29, originally from Zambia, had a central role in the ceremony which was created by Garrison Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Class 1 Andrew Stokes. | |
| The guardsman, whose regiment is part of the Household Division, said it was a “huge privilege” to be given the key role performing the drummer’s call, during a “very difficult” time for the country. | |
| He said: | |
| As the Queen arrived in Windsor Castle’s quadrangle the ceremony began when she took her place on a dais and the royal salute was given by the troops and the national anthem was played. | |
| An event like this marking the sovereign’s birthday has not been staged at Windsor since 1895, when a ceremony was held in honour of Queen Victoria. | |
| Normally guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during drills or when formed up on the parade ground, allowing them to maintain “dressing” - staying in line with one another. | |
| But in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, they stood 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the garrison sergeant major’s pace stick. | |
| Here is the live stream from ITV News | |
| The crowd at Parliament Square has now grown to around 150 people, largely white men. | The crowd at Parliament Square has now grown to around 150 people, largely white men. |
| Paul Golding, leader of the far-right group Britain First, said they had turned out to “guard our monuments”, telling the PA news agency: | Paul Golding, leader of the far-right group Britain First, said they had turned out to “guard our monuments”, telling the PA news agency: |
| When asked about the other boarded-up statues in Parliament Square, including one of Nelson Mandela, Golding said: | |
| When asked why demonstrators had gathered during a pandemic, with few present wearing masks, Golding referenced the large anti-racism gatherings of previous weeks. | When asked why demonstrators had gathered during a pandemic, with few present wearing masks, Golding referenced the large anti-racism gatherings of previous weeks. |
| Soldiers from the Welsh Guards and musicians from the Massed Band of the Household Division have marched on to the parade area at Windsor Castle ahead of the start of the Queen’s official birthday celebrations (see 10.01am.). | |
| The ceremony has been created in just over two weeks and allows the guardsmen to show their precision marching skills while maintaining a social distance of just over two metres. | |
| The event replaces the Trooping the Colour ceremony normally staged in central London which could not be held in its traditional form because of coronavirus. | The event replaces the Trooping the Colour ceremony normally staged in central London which could not be held in its traditional form because of coronavirus. |
| The British Medical Association (BMA) has demanded an explanation from the government following reports that pages containing recommendations to protect BAME communities were removed from last week’s Covid-19 disparity review. | The British Medical Association (BMA) has demanded an explanation from the government following reports that pages containing recommendations to protect BAME communities were removed from last week’s Covid-19 disparity review. |
| In a letter sent to the health secretary Matt Hancock, Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE, the head of the BMA, called for the 69 missing pages containing seven recommendations to be published immediately. | In a letter sent to the health secretary Matt Hancock, Dr Chaand Nagpaul CBE, the head of the BMA, called for the 69 missing pages containing seven recommendations to be published immediately. |
| He said: | He said: |
| Last week, Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities, told the Commons that Public Health England (PHE) was unable to make any recommendations in its report on BAME people and coronavirus because some of the data needed was not available. | Last week, Kemi Badenoch, the minister for women and equalities, told the Commons that Public Health England (PHE) was unable to make any recommendations in its report on BAME people and coronavirus because some of the data needed was not available. |
| But Prof Raj Bhopal, a scientist who had been asked to peer-review the unpublished recommendations file, told the BBC that parliament had “not been told the full truth”. | But Prof Raj Bhopal, a scientist who had been asked to peer-review the unpublished recommendations file, told the BBC that parliament had “not been told the full truth”. |
| He described the recommendations document as an “open secret” and said it had “every hallmark of a [government] report ready to go to the press”. | He described the recommendations document as an “open secret” and said it had “every hallmark of a [government] report ready to go to the press”. |
| You can read the full story here. | You can read the full story here. |
| A small crowd has gathered around the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill opposite Parliament, PA Media reports. | A small crowd has gathered around the boarded-up statue of Winston Churchill opposite Parliament, PA Media reports. |
| Around 50 people, including Paul Golding, the leader of far-right political group Britain First, have assembled in Parliament Square. | Around 50 people, including Paul Golding, the leader of far-right political group Britain First, have assembled in Parliament Square. |
| Some of the group have also gathered around the nearby Cenotaph, which has also been boarded up. | Some of the group have also gathered around the nearby Cenotaph, which has also been boarded up. |
| Several police officers were in attendance and a vehicle carrying police horses was also seen in the area. | Several police officers were in attendance and a vehicle carrying police horses was also seen in the area. |
| The mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the decision to board up statues in the capital had been taken on intelligence that the protests would likely be hijacked by counter-demonstrations by far-right groups. (see 9.37am.). | The mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the decision to board up statues in the capital had been taken on intelligence that the protests would likely be hijacked by counter-demonstrations by far-right groups. (see 9.37am.). |
| Police have said those affiliated to the Black Lives Matter protests must remain north of a police barrier erected on Whitehall, while far-right protesters must remain to the south of the line. | Police have said those affiliated to the Black Lives Matter protests must remain north of a police barrier erected on Whitehall, while far-right protesters must remain to the south of the line. |
| Shetland Staands wi Black Lives Matter is holding an inter-island socially distanced protest – where islanders take posters on their daily walk and photograph themselves for an accompanying online gallery – as well as an accompanying gathering in Lerwick. | Shetland Staands wi Black Lives Matter is holding an inter-island socially distanced protest – where islanders take posters on their daily walk and photograph themselves for an accompanying online gallery – as well as an accompanying gathering in Lerwick. |
| The global wave of protest following George Floyd’s death has also swept through the islands, with organisers of Shetland’s main Up Helly Aa Viking festival – which is also infamous for excluding women - announcing that the use of blackface “will not be tolerated” amidst growing pressure for an outright ban. | The global wave of protest following George Floyd’s death has also swept through the islands, with organisers of Shetland’s main Up Helly Aa Viking festival – which is also infamous for excluding women - announcing that the use of blackface “will not be tolerated” amidst growing pressure for an outright ban. |
| Mara Ival-Duncan, 19, told the Guardian that Shetland locals had started to educate themselves about the racism she has experienced herself growing up mixed race: | Mara Ival-Duncan, 19, told the Guardian that Shetland locals had started to educate themselves about the racism she has experienced herself growing up mixed race: |
| The reforms to Up Helly Aa are particularly significant, she says. | The reforms to Up Helly Aa are particularly significant, she says. |
| Following a plea from the home secretary for the public not to attend protests this weekend amid the public health emergency (see 9.37am.), the Met commander Bas Javid, brother of former chancellor Sajid, said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters, but asked people not to come to London while shutdown rules are still in force. | Following a plea from the home secretary for the public not to attend protests this weekend amid the public health emergency (see 9.37am.), the Met commander Bas Javid, brother of former chancellor Sajid, said he understood the depth of feeling of protesters, but asked people not to come to London while shutdown rules are still in force. |
| The Queen’s official birthday will be marked by a new ceremony created amid the “devastating” Covid-19 outbreak, a senior Army officer has said. | The Queen’s official birthday will be marked by a new ceremony created amid the “devastating” Covid-19 outbreak, a senior Army officer has said. |
| Major General Christopher Ghika, whose men will pay tribute to the Queen on Saturday, said the event offers a “unique opportunity” to commemorate the head of state’s milestone. | Major General Christopher Ghika, whose men will pay tribute to the Queen on Saturday, said the event offers a “unique opportunity” to commemorate the head of state’s milestone. |
| Windsor Castle will host the ceremony - in place of Trooping the Colour - featuring a small number of Welsh Guardsmen and military musicians taking part in a display of precision marching created to observe social distancing rules. | Windsor Castle will host the ceremony - in place of Trooping the Colour - featuring a small number of Welsh Guardsmen and military musicians taking part in a display of precision marching created to observe social distancing rules. |
| Ghika, who commands the Household Division and all military support for London’s civil response to coronavirus, said: | Ghika, who commands the Household Division and all military support for London’s civil response to coronavirus, said: |
| Servicemen from the Household Division - which includes the Welsh Guards - have been formed into a Covid Support Force, with the soldiers carrying out coronavirus tests at regional and mobile sites. | Servicemen from the Household Division - which includes the Welsh Guards - have been formed into a Covid Support Force, with the soldiers carrying out coronavirus tests at regional and mobile sites. |
| Normally Guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during their drills or when formed up on the parade ground, allowing them to maintain “dressing” or staying in line with one another. | Normally Guardsmen stand shoulder-to-shoulder during their drills or when formed up on the parade ground, allowing them to maintain “dressing” or staying in line with one another. |
| But in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, each soldier will be tasked with standing 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the Garrison Sergeant Major’s pace stick. | But in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, each soldier will be tasked with standing 2.2 metres apart, measured by three turns of the Garrison Sergeant Major’s pace stick. |
| When the Queen arrives in the castle’s quadrangle she will receive a royal salute which will be followed by a set of military drills before the colour of the Welsh Guards is trooped. | When the Queen arrives in the castle’s quadrangle she will receive a royal salute which will be followed by a set of military drills before the colour of the Welsh Guards is trooped. |
| Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, the ceremony will last around 20 minutes and broadcaster Huw Edwards will host a BBC One programme covering the event live. | Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henry Llewelyn-Usher, the ceremony will last around 20 minutes and broadcaster Huw Edwards will host a BBC One programme covering the event live. |
| Winston Churchill’s grandson, Nicholas Soames, has said he was “deeply upset” after his grandfather’s statue was defaced. It has been boarded up ahead of more expected anti-racism protests in London. | Winston Churchill’s grandson, Nicholas Soames, has said he was “deeply upset” after his grandfather’s statue was defaced. It has been boarded up ahead of more expected anti-racism protests in London. |
| The former Conservative minister told the Daily Telegraph (paywall) the incident, in which the word “racist” was scrawled on the monument, shows British society has “lost its compass”. | The former Conservative minister told the Daily Telegraph (paywall) the incident, in which the word “racist” was scrawled on the monument, shows British society has “lost its compass”. |
| Soames said the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, was right to heed police advice and board up the statue and the nearby Cenotaph. | Soames said the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, was right to heed police advice and board up the statue and the nearby Cenotaph. |
| Good morning. With further Black Lives Matter demonstrations planned for this weekend, the home secretary, Priti Patel, has re-issued warnings that there is a “severe public health risk” and that large gatherings at this time remain “illegal”. | Good morning. With further Black Lives Matter demonstrations planned for this weekend, the home secretary, Priti Patel, has re-issued warnings that there is a “severe public health risk” and that large gatherings at this time remain “illegal”. |
| In London, the mayor, Sadiq Khan, also urged people to stay away from central London and defended the decision to board up the statue of Winston Churchill and other monuments. | In London, the mayor, Sadiq Khan, also urged people to stay away from central London and defended the decision to board up the statue of Winston Churchill and other monuments. |
| He said the decision was taken amid concerns they could become a “flashpoint for violence” if the protests are hijacked by counter-demonstrations by far-right groups. | He said the decision was taken amid concerns they could become a “flashpoint for violence” if the protests are hijacked by counter-demonstrations by far-right groups. |
| He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: | He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: |
| Those affiliated to the Black Lives Matter protests must remain north of a police barrier erected on Whitehall, while far-right protesters must remain to the south of the line. | Those affiliated to the Black Lives Matter protests must remain north of a police barrier erected on Whitehall, while far-right protesters must remain to the south of the line. |
| Khan also accused the home secretary of seeking to score “political points” after she criticised the decision. | Khan also accused the home secretary of seeking to score “political points” after she criticised the decision. |
| Police have told those planning on protesting in London that they must be off the streets by 5pm. Khan said protestors who did not disperse after 5pm risked being arrested, including people protesting peacefully. | Police have told those planning on protesting in London that they must be off the streets by 5pm. Khan said protestors who did not disperse after 5pm risked being arrested, including people protesting peacefully. |
| He told BBC Breakfast: | He told BBC Breakfast: |
| Please feel free to get in touch to share news tips or stories we should be covering here. | Please feel free to get in touch to share news tips or stories we should be covering here. |
| Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ | Email: lucy.campbell@theguardian.comTwitter: @lucy_campbell_ |