Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Michael Gove thanks police after he was mobbed by pro-Palestinian protesters

The senior Cabinet minister said he was ‘very grateful for so many kind messages’ after a crowd surrounded him at Victoria station on Saturday.

Jordan Reynolds
Sunday 12 November 2023 11:20 EST
Michael Gove thanked police (James Manning/PA)
Michael Gove thanked police (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Michael Gove has thanked police for getting him “home safely” after he was mobbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Victoria station.

The senior Cabinet minister said he was “very grateful for so many kind messages” after footage was posted on social media showing him flanked by a large police contingent trying to keep dozens of demonstrators away, as he passed through the London railway station.

It came on a day fraught with tensions over a rally and counter-protests held on Armistice Day.

The flag-waving protesters crowding him were heard chanting “shame on you” as officers shouted at them to “get back”.

In another clip, the Levelling Up Secretary was seen walking down a London street as protesters followed him chanting the same slogan.

Michael Gove posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sunday, saying: “I’m very grateful for so many kind messages in the last 24 hours.

“I’d like to thank the police for their exemplary work getting me home safely yesterday.”

Dozens of counter-protesters were arrested as hundreds of thousands of people took part in the central London march – the biggest since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7.

Some politicians, most notably Mr Gove’s Cabinet colleague Home Secretary Suella Braverman, had put pressure on police not to let the pro-Palestinian march go ahead on the day of remembrance.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in