A man has been arrested in the UK after a photo emerged appearing to show a man urinating next to a memorial for a murdered police officer in London.
The memorial was installed in memory of officer Keith Palmer, who died after being stabbed during a terrorist attacks on the grounds of the Houses of Parliament in 2017.
Amid protests in the area yesterday, an image was widely circulated on social media - including by politicians - appearing to show a man urinating next to the memorial.
Absolute shame on this man.
Of all the images to emerge over these few testing days I find this one of most abhorrent.
Please help identify him. pic.twitter.com/8ydcNmTWrN— Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) June 13, 2020
Met Police confirmed on Sunday that a man has been arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency.
He is said to have turned himself in at a police station in Essex.
Speaking after the image emerged yesterday, Met Police Commander Bas Javid said: “We are aware of a disgusting and abhorrent image circulating on social media of a man appearing to urinate on a memorial to PC Palmer. I feel for PC Palmer’s family, friends and colleagues.
"We have immediately launched an investigation, and will gather all the evidence available to us and take appropriate action.”
The incident is believed to have taken place yesterday afternoon during a series of protests in London.
Groups, including some far-right activists, congregated in the city claiming they were protecting statues from Black Lives Matter demonstrators.
However, there were violent scenes as some of the demonstrators clashed with police and attempted to interrupt other protests.
At least 15 people were injured and more than 100 arrested, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning the violence as "racist thuggery".
