Iraqi protesters opposed to a migration returns agreement with the UK chased their Prime Minister’s car as it left Downing Street.
Sir Keir Starmer and his counterpart, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, were expected to begin talks on a “bespoke returns agreement” between the UK and Iraq during their meeting at No 10 on Tuesday. Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir stated that the deal aimed to “dismantle” people-smuggling gangs with links to Iraq.
As the Iraqi leader arrived at Downing Street and shook hands with Sir Keir outside the famous black door, a group of protesters could be heard chanting outside the gates, with one shouting, “Are you gambling with our lives?”
Later, as Mr. Sudani’s car left Downing Street, the protesters began chanting again, and one of them threw a projectile at one of the vehicles in his convoy, though it appeared to miss.
The group then chased the vehicles down Whitehall. Police officers pursued them, restraining the protesters as they attempted to follow the cars. The group eventually stopped and left the location after speaking with the police.
One of the protesters identified themselves as a member of a group opposed to the migration returns agreement between Iraq and the UK. Farman Haji, a member of the Dakok Organisation for Rights and Freedom, told the PA news agency that Iraqi lives would be “in danger back home” if they were returned.
He added, “We want to save a thousand, thousand lives in the UK … Iraqi people, to not send them back home. That is what we are here today for.”
Dakok is a registered charity in the UK that serves members of the Kurdish community living in Britain.
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