London, Thanasis Gavos

London’s Metropolitan Police expressed “regret” over the arrest of six anti-monarchy protesters shortly before the start of Charles’ coronation royal procession on Saturday morning.

The arrests took place in central London for in the possession of the six persons were found articles which it was thought could be used to fasten their holders to posts or railings along the route of the procession.

A police spokesman said that the investigations proved that there was ultimately no intention for any such protest and that the six were released without bail and without any other restrictions or obligations.

“We regret that these six arrested people were unable to join the wider group of protesters in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere along the procession route,” the statement said.

Graham Smith, one of those arrested and head of the anti-monarchy organization Republic, rejected the police apology and stressed that it was made clear to the officers who made the arrests that the “suspicious” straps were to be used for the placards they were carrying.

In total, the Metropolitan Police made 64 arrests on the day of the coronation under the pretext of disturbing the public order. 46 of those brought were released on bail.

Police had warned they would have a “lower than usual degree of tolerance” for those attempting to cause disruption on Coronation Day.

The arrests of the activists have also drawn opposition from the opposition, but government officials, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have defended the police tactics.