SANTA Claus was arrested in London on Saturday at an Anti-Lockdown protest, despite PM Boris Johnson calling the North Pole to ensure he could visit the UK amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
The ‘Special Key Worker Exemption’ came after an eight-year-old boy called Monty wrote a heart-warming letter to the Prime Minister asking if Santa would still be able to visit this year.
“I have put in a call to the North Pole and I can tell you Father Christmas is ready and raring to go, as are Rudolph and all of the other reindeer,’ the Prime Minister said last week.
Anti Lockdown Protest London 28th November… pic.twitter.com/oun7hjEYPX
— Petros. (@appseyes) November 28, 2020
“The Chief Medical Officer has asked me to tell you that, provided Father Christmas behaves in his usual responsible way and works quickly and safely, there are no risks to your health or his.”
Despite this, Met Police arrested Santa in London as anti-lockdown protesters clashed with a massive police presence on Saturday amid a Tory Tiers rebellion expected to rock Number Ten this week.
Several people were handcuffed by officers as demonstrators weaved through the capital’s streets on Saturday afternoon
Met Police action was met with booing and chants of “shame on you” as demonstrators, many not wearing face masks, ignored requests to go home.
CREDIT: AP
Protests are not a permitted exemption to the prohibition on gatherings under current coronavirus regulations in England and those who attend risk enforcement action by officers, the Metropolitan Police had warned ahead of the weekend.
The grassroots group Save Our Rights UK, which says it is working for democracy, had planned a protest on Saturday called Unite For Freedom – Time For Action.
The group took to Twitter to announce a last-minute change to its plan to gather at Kings Cross station on Saturday morning, after it said arrests had been made.
PA/Victoria Jones
Supporters were instead told to meet at Marble Arch.
Three people were arrested outside the station, police said.
Shortly before 1pm, police were leading people away in handcuffs from London’s Hyde Park.
A large crowd of demonstrators chanting “freedom” left the park near Marble Arch and marched along a road parallel to Oxford Street.
Police walked alongside the protesters who carried placards reading “stop controlling us” and “no more lockdowns”.
Other signs read “ditch the face masks” and “no to mandatory masks”.
Officers continued handcuffing several demonstrators as the noisy crowd abruptly changed its direction.
Groups of helmeted police were seen running to respond to protesters appearing at Oxford Circus, Carnaby Street and Regent Street.
Traffic was temporarily blocked at the latter as police attempted to handcuff people on the ground in the middle of the road.
