Vice President of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson, has said in a tweet that anti-monarchy activists should emigrate instead of using their right to free expression to protest against the coronation of Carlos III.
He tweeted: “Not my king? If you don't want to live in a country that has a monarchy, protesting with silly banners is not the solution. The solution is to emigrate."
The comment followed the arrest of several anti-monarchist protesters while Carlos and Camilla's coronation ceremony was taking place.
Anderson, known by the nickname "30p Lee" since he suggested it takes 30p to cook a meal, was appointed vice-chairman of the Conservative Party in February.
Jonathan Harris, a Liberal Democrat councilor for West Northamptonshire, tweeted in response: “30p Lee – idiot in action. He took away from the British the rights to live and work throughout the EU, and forgot that great democracies are built and absolutely allow the right to peaceful protest”.
The leader of the anti-monarchy group República and other members were released after hours in detention during the coronation of King Charles on Saturday, raising questions about whether the police response had been proportionate.
Police arrested Republic leader Graham Smith and 51 others in central London as thousands of royal fans gathered in the streets for King Charles' coronation on Saturday, saying their duty to prevent disruption outweighed their right. to protest.
Republic said the detained members began being released late Saturday after nearly 16 hours in custody.
"I'm now out of the station... Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK," Smith said on Twitter.
"I have been told many times that the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are being attacked in his name."
Police said on Saturday they understood the public concern over the arrests but said they acted after receiving information that protesters were determined to disrupt the coronation procession.
London Police Chief Mark Rowley warned on Friday that police would take action if protesters tried to "obstruct people's enjoyment and celebration," saying there would be a "very low tolerance" for disruption.
Wes Streeting, a senior lawmaker from the opposition Labor Party, said police would have to be held accountable if the response was provided, adding that some protests had been allowed to continue.
Culture Minister Lucy Frazer said she had great confidence in the police, saying that along with the right to protest, people also had the right not to have their enjoyment interrupted.
"I think overall (the police) managed to get the balance right," Frazer told Sky News.
"It's really important that they take into account the context of the event, because this was an event that would have raised questions about national security."
