West Lothian man among seven charged in connection with London Armistice Day disorder

A man from West Lothian is among seven people to be charged in connection with disorder in central London following Saturday’s Armistice Day protests.

William Duncan was charged with being drunk and disorderly amid clashes between police and demonstrators after the ceremony of remembrance.

Metropolitan Police officers made 145 arrests during the Pro-Palestinian demonstration and counter protest by right wing groups.

The 48-year-old, from Armadale, has since been bailed, but will appear at at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 30.

Six others were arrested for a variety of offences including possession of an offensive weapon and possession of class A drugs.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned the scenes as “wholly unacceptable”.

Deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, who led the policing operation around the protests, said: “Public order policing doesn’t end when demonstrators go home. We have teams of officers who continue to build cases against those in custody and launch investigations into those who come to our attention when images and videos are shared on social media.

“Since the end of yesterday’s demonstration we’ve published appeals in relation to six incidents and I have no doubt there will be more to follow. Our colleagues at the British Transport Police have published a further two appeals.

“We urge anyone who has information about the identity of suspects, or who has footage or photos of further potential offences, to get in touch so we can take the appropriate action.”