Michael Gove has been mobbed by protesters as he walked through London’s Victoria station, moments after a sit-in protest for Palestine ended.
Pro-Palestinian protesters chanted “shame on you” as the communities secretary, escorted by police officers, made his way through the concourse. Video footage posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, shows a number of protesters waving flags and surging towards Gove as Metropolitan police officers pushed them away and shouted at them to “get back”.
Gove was reportedly on his way to get a train at the central London station on Saturday evening. Thousands of demonstrators marched in London on Armistice Day, calling for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire. Organisers have said that the march could be one of the biggest in British history and claimed that 800,000 people attended.
The rally has been the backdrop to a political row over Suella Braverman’s public criticism of the policing of protests. The home secretary has been accused of fuelling far-right violence near the Cenotaph after branding pro-Palestinian demonstrators “hate marchers” and “Islamists” who were intending to use Armistice Day to dominate the streets of London. The march passed off peacefully but at least 92 counter-protesters were arrested on Saturday as far-right groups clashed with police.
In another clip shared on X, Gove was seen walking down a London street as protesters followed him chanting “Shame on you”.
A number of politicians have expressed solidarity with the senior cabinet minister. Dame Arlene Foster, former first minister of Northern Ireland, tweeted: “This is so disgraceful. Sending solidarity to Michael Gove and all those who seek to go about their private business on a Saturday afternoon but who are intimidated by thugs.”
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, described attempts to intimidate politicians as “unacceptable”.
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, said: “It’s not ‘bizarre’ for Michael Gove to use a major tube/train station. He should be able to travel in peace like everyone else.
“Those acting in this fashion damage their cause and, along with those displaying abhorrent antisemitism among the rally today, must be condemned.”
Gove’s office has been contacted for comment.