Clashes between police and attendees of a vigil for Sarah Everard were “distressing” and “alarming”, the policing minister has told Sky News.

Kit Malthouse said that officers were “happy” to be held “accountable” by an independent investigation into Saturday night’s chaos.

But he insisted the under-pressure Metropolitan Police commissioner, Cressida Dick, should not resign over the force’s handling of events.

Her officers have been heavily criticised after the ugly scenes on Clapham Common in south London on Saturday, during which police were seen grabbing several women and leading them away in handcuffs.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘Deeply disturbing’ arrests at vigil

Asked about those scenes, Mr Malthouse said: “Along with everyone else, I found it very distressing and the pictures were obviously alarming, which is why the home secretary has asked for this independent investigation into what actually happened.

“So that we can hold the police accountable, which I know they’re happy to be so, to make sure everything was done in accordance with the rules.

“I think we have to reflect on the fact that Saturday obviously saw unleashing a huge amount of emotion and anger.

More from Sarah Everard

“Not just about the appalling crime that occurred, but about a repressed sense of women’s safety – and that that was in jeopardy and under threat.”

Mr Malthouse said ministers would use a meeting of the government’s crime and justice taskforce on Monday to look at what further action can be taken to protect women and girls and make sure streets are safe.

The meeting is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Priti Patel, Justice Secretary Robert Buckland, Ms Dick and Max Hill, the director of public prosecutions.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘I am not considering my position’ – Met Police chief

Mr Malthouse declined to add his voice to those calling for Ms Dick to quit over the Met Police’s handling of Saturday night’s vigil.

“I recognise the police are in an incredible difficult position,” he said.

“Throughout this pandemic we’ve asked them to do a job that they’ve never done before.

“To stand between the public, if you like, and this terrible virus in a way that none of us are used to and, certainly, they aren’t as well.

“So that very, very difficult position they’re in needs to be reflected in our contemplation of this.

“In the vast majority of cases the police and the public have managed this situation extremely well between them.”

You May Also Like

Barge set to house asylum seekers pictured on the move

A barge which will house 500 asylum seekers is on the move,…

Nadine Dorries says ‘sinister forces’ were behind House of Lords snub

Nadine Dorries has suggested “sinister forces” were behind the decision not to…

EU to start legal action against UK over Brexit deal

The EU Commission says it will start legal action against Boris Johnson’s…

Keir Starmer’s economic plan risks him looking more like a David Cameron tribute act than an heir to Blair | Politics News

For years we’ve all been hearing from Sir Keir Starmer about how…