Met Police chief Sir Mark Rowley bizarrely grabs journalist's microphone after being quizzed on 'two-tier policing'

5 August 2024, 14:27 | Updated: 5 August 2024, 14:32

Sir Mark was quizzed on 'two-tier policing'
Sir Mark was quizzed on 'two-tier policing'. Picture: Sky News

By Henry Moore

Britain’s top cop Sir Mark Rowley has been filmed grabbing a microphone out of a journalist’s hand after the emergency Cobra meeting held on Monday.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner attended the meeting alongside Sir Keir Starmer as the Government looks to end violent riots across the country.

The incident occurred when a Sky News journalist asked Sir Mark if the Met would “end two-tier policing.”

This refers to the notion that the police treat right-wing protesters more harshly than their left-wing counterparts.

The clip shows The Met chief reaching toward the microphone, grabbing it and throwing part of it to the ground, without responding to the journalist’s question.

Read more: Keir Starmer slams Elon Musk's claim 'civil war is inevitable' following UK riots

Read more: Home Secretary warns rioters should prepare to swap summer holidays for 'a knock on the door and a police cell'

A Met Police spokesperson said: "The Commissioner had a positive and constructive meeting with the Prime Minister and partners across Government and policing.

"He was in a hurry to return to New Scotland Yard to take action on the agreed next steps."

Yesterday marked the sixth day of violent disorder in England, as far-right attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers erupted in at least two towns.

During the Cobra meeting, Starmer said police working with the National Crime Agency to tackle criminality and bot activity online over fears state actors are involved.

Downing Street concluded that social media firms needed an immediate response to disinformation and the government will consider a wider framework in due course.

"Anyone who is whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law," Starmer's spokesperson said, adding: "online platforms have a responsibility."

The prime minister added: “The first is we will have a standing army of specialist public duty officers so that we will have enough officers to deal with this where we need them.

“The second is we will ramp up criminal justice. There have already been hundreds of arrests, some have appeared in court this morning.

Sir Keir added during the meeting that "the law applies online."

“I’l have asked for early consideration of the earliest naming and identification of those involved in the process who will feel the full force of the law.”

The PM also hit out at X owner Elon Musk for claiming a civil war is “inevitable” in the UK.

Musk's comments came in response to a video posted to X with the caption "The effects of mass migration and open borders is what’s going on."

Speaking on the post, the Prime Minister's spokesperson added there was "no justification for comments like that".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Health leaders are now urging people to be cautious when considering cosmetic procedures.

Vampire facial warning issued after cleaning concerns at Wolverhampton clinic

An elderly old age pensioner sits with his hands on a walking stick in a care home.

Gut bacteria changes could be ‘warning sign for worsening Parkinson’s symptoms’

Karen Bass says the restrictions will be in force in downtown areas of LA from 8pm to 6am local time (4am to 2pm UK time).

Los Angeles mayor imposes curfew 'to stop the looting' on fifth day of clashes against immigration raids

The report added that it should become easier for parents to organise “safe play” in their streets, and there should be a national ban on “No Ball Games” signs.

'Too much screen time, not enough play': Calls to ban ‘No Ball Games’ signs to reduce children's reliance on smartphones

The ASA did not uphold complaints about Price appearing to be unhealthily thin, and concluded that the ad was not irresponsible on that basis.

'Not empowering - just objectifying': Advertising watchdog bans Diesel ad featuring Katie Price

A number of homes and police vehicles were damaged during the riotous behaviour.

Police use water cannon in Ballymena after petrol bombs thrown at officers in second night of disorder

Bowel cancer patient Kelly Buckle, 40, is operated on during a state-of-the-art robot assisted surgery performed by the NHS at Solihull Surgical Hub in Solihull Hospital, West Midlands.

Robotic surgery set to soar in NHS as 90% of all keyhole surgeries to be assisted by robots in decade

Despite weaker demand, renters are still facing a limited supply of homes for rent, Zoopla said.

'Still being squeezed': Rent rises slow to four-year low but low-income tenants say crisis far from over

Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers of England acknowledge the fans after the teams defeat in the international friendly match between England and Senegal at City Ground on June 10, 2025.

Tuchel insists ‘no need to panic’ as England booed off for second time in four days after shock defeat against Senegal

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions jackpot rolls over again as UK’s largest ever prize of £208m is unclaimed

The violence flared following an earlier peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.

Missiles thrown at police in second night of Northern Ireland disorder following protest over alleged sexual assault

Emergency services at the scene on Russell Close in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, where a man and a nine-year-old girl died in a house fire on Sunday morning.

Father and nine-year-old daughter that died in house fire named, as girl, 11, still fighting for life in hospital

The global superstar has reportedly offered seats to her London tour at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to families in need through food banks across the city.

Beyoncé 'gives away' gig tickets to low-income families after struggling to fill seats at Cowboy Carter London tour

from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years.

Cervical screening invites to be sent out every five years for some women in new NHS changes

Alex Eastwood

Kickboxer, 15, who died after charity match had fought 34-year-old man week before

Exclusive
The government is to introduce extra measures to protect emergency workers from religious and racist abuse, LBC has learned.

New laws to clamp down on racial and religious abuse of emergency workers, LBC learns