Update: Complaint & FOIA Delay – Why Is the Metropolitan Police Shielding Sadiq Khan’s “From the River to the Sea” Statement?4 February 2026

As part of my ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in public office, I am providing this update on my formal complaint to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) concerning their handling of allegations against the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. This matter centres on his public defence of the chant “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as not antisemitic, a slogan widely recognised by Government ministers, the Home Secretary, and Jewish community organisations as inherently antisemitic and genocidal in intent.

Background to the Allegation

On 10 October 2025, during Mayor’s Question Time, Sadiq Khan stated that he did not consider the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” to be antisemitic.

On 13 October 2025, I submitted a detailed report to the MPS Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, alleging that the Mayor’s statement amounted to incitement to racial hatred under section 19 of the Public Order Act 1986. I included a comprehensive paper titled “Inciting Hatred: Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Defence of the ‘From the River to the Sea’ Chant and Its Role in Fuelling Anti-Semitic Violence in London Protests”, outlining evidence of rising antisemitism linked to such rhetoric.

Read the full initial report and background here:

Metropolitan Police Refuse to Investigate Sadiq Khan’s Defence of “From the River to the Sea” Chant

Metropolitan Police Response

On 17 October 2025, Michael Rabin from the Commissioner’s Correspondence Team responded, citing “legal advice” and deciding no further action was warranted.

On 20 November 2025, A/DCI Chris Rudd confirmed the matter was recorded as a non-crime hate incident (reference: 01/8225922/25), acknowledging a hate element, but determined no criminal offence on the balance of probabilities and declined to investigate.

This decision appeared inconsistent with MPS handling of similar allegations against lower-profile individuals involving less inflammatory speech.

Read my detailed analysis of the MPS response and emerging concerns here:

When the Mayor Says “From the River to the Sea” Is Fine – But the Police Won’t Tell Us Why

Freedom of Information Act Request

To scrutinise the basis for this decision, I submitted a Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) request on 22 October 2025 (reference: 01/FOI/25/049201/E), seeking the legal advice relied upon.

The statutory 20-working-day deadline expired on or about 20 November 2025. Despite an acknowledgment on 3 December 2025 apologising for delay, no substantive response has been provided as of 4 February 2026. No extension, refusal notice, or assistance has been offered, constituting a clear breach of FOIA.

Formal Complaint to the MPS

On 4 February 2026, I escalated this to Sergeant Stuart Shaw, handling my existing complaint (reference: PC/13271/25) about A/DCI Rudd’s decision. I requested the FOIA breach be incorporated into the investigation, highlighting suspicions raised by the delays about the existence or content of the alleged legal advice.

The complaint emphasises apparent bias or differential treatment, particularly given the Mayor’s role as Police and Crime Commissioner overseeing the MPS. It references the Court of Appeal ruling in Miller v College of Policing [2021] EWCA Civ 1920, which requires proportionate and non-arbitrary handling of non-crime hate incidents.

Demand for FOIA Compliance

Separately, on 4 February 2026, I sent a final demand to the MPS Data Rights Unit, requiring disclosure within 7 days and requesting an internal review of the handling. Failure to comply will lead to a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for enforcement.

The Broader Context of Rising Antisemitism

This case unfolds amid escalating antisemitic incidents in the UK since October 2023. Reports from the Community Security Trust (CST) document vandalism, threats, assaults, and online abuse, including graffiti equating Israel with Nazis, swastikas on synagogues, and calls to “kill Jews”.

The MPS’s refusal to investigate a high-profile figure’s statement downplaying such a slogan, despite recording a hate incident, raises profound concerns about equal application of the law and impartiality.

Why This Matters to the Public

Transparency in policing hate incidents is essential for maintaining trust, especially when involving figures with significant influence. The Mayor’s oversight of the MPS amplifies these concerns, potentially indicating conflicts of interest or undue leniency.

I remain committed to pursuing this through all available channels to ensure accountability.

Next Steps

The MPS investigation under Sergeant Shaw is expected to conclude within three months, with a report forthcoming. I will update this site with developments, including any ICO escalation.

Readers are encouraged to follow this matter and support calls for fair and transparent policing.

For full correspondence and documents, contact me at changebritain4good@gmail.com.