Britain’s government has escalated its row with London’s police chief over the handling of a pro-Palestinian march this weekend, accusing his officers of taking a softer stance towards left-wing causes, Reuters reports.

Plans for a demonstration in London on Saturday’s Armistice Day has sparked a row between the government and police, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying he would hold the force accountable for any trouble after it said there was not enough reason to ban it.

Police have said they expect a significant demonstration on Saturday, November 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I but that there are no plans for a protest on November 12, when formal Remembrance Sunday events are held in central London.

Sunak has called the march disrespectful but police commissioner, Mark Rowley, has said any ban would require intelligence of a threat of serious disorder, and that such bans had not been implemented for a decade.

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