In a recent interview with The Telegraph, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his concerns about what he perceives as “the worrying politicisation of the Met police,” particularly in relation to the investigation of war crimes in Gaza.
This statement has sparked a strong reaction from the ICJP, which utterly condemns Johnson’s choice of words as reckless and dangerous.
The organisation is considering lodging a formal complaint about his conduct, highlighting the growing tension between political figures and law enforcement agencies in the context of the atrocities in Gaza.
Johnson’s comments were related to the Metropolitan Police’s investigation into Israel regarding potential war crimes in Gaza. Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit have appealed to witnesses travelling through British airports to report evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The work is being undertaken by the war crimes team to support an ongoing investigation by the International Criminal Court. Posters at airports have said that UK policing is supporting the work of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is investigating alleged war crimes in Israel and Palestine from June 2014 onwards. During his time as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson openly opposed the ICC’s investigation.
ICJP Director Tayab Ali responded to Johnson’s remarks: “A police investigation should not be subjected to political interference in this way.
“Johnson, who may have an axe to grind having found himself on the wrong side of the law by breaking Covid regulations, has a record for interfering with law enforcement investigations when it comes to Israel.
“As Prime Minister he openly opposed the ICC’s investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes. Doing the same but with a domestic police investigation could render Johnson on the wrong side of the law again, but this time for the serious offence of perverting the course of justice by trying interfere with a police investigation. We at ICJP will consider making a complaint about Johnson’s conduct,” he added.
