Fury at 'vile' speech made at anti-vax rally as doctors and nurses threatened

24 July 2021, 21:03 | Updated: 25 July 2021, 11:34

Protesters in Trafalgar Square on Saturday
Protesters in Trafalgar Square on Saturday. Picture: PA

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Sadiq Khan and NHS workers have condemned a "vile" speech in which doctors and nurses were threatened during a rally protesting coronavirus vaccinations.

Thousands of people gathered in Trafalgar Square for Saturday’s event.

A video has been circulating on social media showing a speaker at the event, understood to be former nurse Kate Shemirani, making threats to NHS doctors and nurses.

READ MORE: Protester 'punches police horse in face' during Sydney anti-lockdown march

She was permanently struck off last month after claiming 5G causes Covid-19 symptoms and spreading vaccine misinformation.

The Met Police has said it is investigating the video.

Mayor of London Mr Khan tweeted to say he has raised it with the force directly.

He said: "This is utterly appalling, and I have raised it directly with the Met Police. Our NHS staff are the heroes of this pandemic and Londoners from across this city roundly reject this hate."

Campaign group NHS Million tweeted: "This is what NHS staff woke up to this morning. A rally talking about hanging doctors and nurses. This has caused considerable distress amongst NHS staff."

"I can’t believe I’m tweeting this. As an ICU doctor who has given everything they have trying to save lives this makes me want to cry," Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden added.

Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca: The Coronavirus Vaccines Explained

Palliative care doctor Rachel Clarke wrote: "Conspiracy theorist, anti-vaxxer and struck-off nurse Kate Shemirani is here literally threatening NHS doctors with the noose.

"I believe she is inciting hatred and would be grateful @metpoliceuk if you could please investigate."

Kate Jarman, Director of Corporate Affairs at Milton Keynes University Hospital, said: "This isn’t isolated to this event. We’ve had letters accusing us of genocide, I’ve had similar over social media, I expect every doctor, nurse and NHS employee who has any kind of social media/ public profile has. It’s abhorrent. Stand strong team NHS."

"I'm pro free speech and cherish the values of tolerance, but this is simply vile hate speech," another person tweeted.

Videos posted on social media also show protesters later clashing with police.

The Covid jab is believed to have saved 37,000 lives in the England while preventing around 11.7 million infections.

The Met Police said in statement: "We’re aware of a video circulating on social media. No arrests have been made."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The UK is on a 'slippery slope to death on demand', Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said in a letter to constituents.

'Slippery slope to death on demand': Justice Secretary details concern over assisted dying debate

Novak Djokovic has appointed Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open.

Andy Murray to coach old rival Novak Djokovic at Australian Open after retiring in August

Island nations which are vulnerable to climate change and some African countries have stormed out of COP29 in a row over funding.

Negotiators from climate-vulnerable nations walk out of COP29 in row over funding deals

Putin has said he will fire more of Russia 's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine

Kremlin warns 'a collision between the nuclear powers' is imminent as West fires missiles into Russia

Coleen Rooney on I'm A Celeb

'Wagatha Christie strikes again': Coleen Rooney uncovers I'm A Celeb secret as she calls out campmates

Chloe Barlow is one of the small business owners who will be affected by the change

'It's a mess': Small businesses hit out at EU red tape set to cost thousands, and say 'government has been no help'

Foreign tourists ride on boat in a river in Vang Vieng

Laos government 'saddened' by deaths of tourists in Vang Vieng which include South London woman

Leading brands are dumping Captain Tom Moore’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Top brands distance themselves from Captain Tom’s daughter after she cashed in on her father's legacy

Euston station has reopened

Euston station reopens after bomb squad carry out 'controlled explosion'

At least 11 people have been killed and more than 60 injured, Lebanon's health ministry has stated

Huge Israeli air strikes hit residential building in central Beirut, killing at least 11 people

Homebase was waiting on around £5 million of tax rebates before collapsing into administration

Full list of Homebase stores up for sale after chain collapses into administration

Live
Storm Bert has hit the UK

Live: Three dead as Storm Bert claims first victims as two die in car crashed and another is crushed by tree

The late Queen and Donald Trump

Queen Elizabeth found Donald Trump to be 'ignorant and hurtful' after Princess Margaret remark

Storm Bert has begun to make an impact with snow closing roads

Trains, planes and roads in chaos as Storm Bert sweeps UK with 82 mph winds and heavy snow

The Princess of Wales during a visit to Southport Community Centre

Princess Kate invites Southport stabbing survivors to Christmas carol concert after meeting them last month

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown walks through Downing Street to attend the annual National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph

Gordon Brown says he will not support assisted dying bill