Actor Khalid Abdalla faces a police interview related to a pro-Palestinian rally as tensions rise over freedom to protest in the UK.
Khalid Abdalla, renowned for his role as Dodi Al Fayed in the Netflix drama The Crown, has announced that he has been summoned by the Metropolitan Police for a formal interview concerning a pro-Palestinian protest held on January 18. This protest was organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) but was subject to restrictions imposed by the police, which ultimately transformed it into a static rally instead of a planned march.
The protest, originally designed to culminate in a march near the BBC and a local synagogue, saw a significant turnout of participants who nonetheless chose to proceed to Trafalgar Square from Whitehall following a series of speeches. In a recent Instagram post, Abdalla detailed his situation, stating: “On Thursday, alongside others, including Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, I received a letter from the Metropolitan Police summoning me to attend ‘a formal interview’ in relation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest of January 18th. It remains to be seen if this will result in charges.”
Abdalla, who has been a vocal advocate for a permanent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, has participated in numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including those leading up to the January 18 event. His previous statements have highlighted his concerns about potential censorship regarding the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the need for solidarity and open dialogues amid rising tensions. He remarked, “The right to protest is under attack in this country and it requires us all to defend it.”
According to the Metropolitan Police, the investigation into this protest focuses on alleged breaches of the Public Order Act, and a spokesperson confirmed that “we have invited a further eight people to be interviewed under caution at a police station.” Although names have been associated with those under consideration, the police have refrained from confirming any identities involved in the inquiry.
In addition to Abdalla, prominent figures such as Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell have also been questioned by authorities regarding the same protest. Currently, 21 individuals have faced charges in connection with incidents that transpired on that day.
The PSC has responded strongly to the police actions, asserting that the law enforcement’s justification for their heavy-handed approach misrepresents the realities of the protest and calling for a halt to any prosecutions against those who participated. The dynamics surrounding the January event continue to unfold as public and governmental reactions develop in response to the controversy surrounding protests related to the Palestinian cause.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/police-interview-the-crown-actor-khalid-abdalla-gaza-rally-b1214487.html – This article corroborates Khalid Abdalla’s involvement in a pro-Palestinian protest and his summons by the Metropolitan Police for a formal interview.
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/instagram-metropolitan-police-palestine-solidarity-campaign-whitehall-trafalgar-square-b2708531.html – This article supports the details of Khalid Abdalla’s summons and the context of the pro-Palestinian protest, including its transformation into a static rally.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This source provides the original article detailing Khalid Abdalla’s situation and the broader context of the protest and its aftermath.
- https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/public-order/public-order-act-1986/ – This webpage from the Metropolitan Police explains the Public Order Act, which is relevant to the investigation into alleged breaches during the protest.
- https://www.palestinesolidaritycampaign.org.uk/ – The Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s official website provides context on their activities and advocacy, including organizing protests like the one on January 18.
- https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/commons-written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2023/02/27/HCWS575/ – This link to a UK Parliament statement could provide background information on public order and protests, although it may not directly address the January 18 event.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative references a recent event on January 18, indicating it is current. However, there is no explicit mention of recent updates or developments beyond this date.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Khalid Abdalla is sourced to an Instagram post, but the original date of the post is not specified. The quote about the right to protest is not verified against earlier sources.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Irish News, a reputable publication in Northern Ireland. However, the reliability of specific details depends on the accuracy of the sources cited within the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the protest and police actions are plausible given the context of recent pro-Palestinian protests and legal actions in the UK. The involvement of prominent figures like Jeremy Corbyn adds to the narrative’s plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be current and well-supported by the context of recent events. The quotes and details provided are plausible and align with known figures and issues. However, some aspects, like the original date of Abdalla’s Instagram post, could not be verified.
