Moment Black Lives Matter protester COUGHED at police officer and threatened to punch him is revealed as detectives hunt 35 suspects from angry statue confrontations
This is the disgusting moment a Black Lives Matter protester coughs at police and threatens to punch them during fierce clashes in central London.
The thug, who is among 35 suspects the Met are hunting over violence at demonstrations, was caught wheezing over officers in Whitehall.
Shocking footage shows the West Ham United fan at the front of the crowd near the Cenotaph on June 6, pushing and swearing at riot police.
The thug, who is among 35 suspects the Met are hunting over violence at demonstrations, was caught wheezing over officers in Whitehall.
Shocking footage shows the West Ham United fan at the front of the crowd near the Cenotaph on June 6, pushing and swearing at riot police.
He is marshalled back by one officer but bows his head and coughs at them, before raising his fists to another.
One policeman tells him 'no violence, peaceful', but the yob continues with his vile tirade.
The thug (pictured), who is among 35 suspects the Met are hunting over violence at demonstrations, was caught wheezing over officers in Whitehall
Shocking footage shows the West Ham United fan at the front of the crowd near the Cenotaph on June 6, pushing and swearing at riot police
It came amid the coronavirus pandemic, when Britain was still recording 1,557 new cases a day.
The killer bug is incredibly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets in the air, which can be caused by coughing or sneezing.
The thug was one of 35 people pictured by the Metropolitan Police who they want to speak to in connection with violence at the London protests.
Clashes have broken out in the capital in recent weeks, where there have been demonstrations in support of BLM while others guarded historic statues in the city.
Police said they are seeking people in relation to a number of violent public order offences which occurred during demonstrations between June 3 and 13.
Police have released images of 35 people they want to speak to in connection with violence at protests in London this month
Commander Bas Javid, brother of former Chancellor Sajid, said the vast majority of people had protested peacefully but 'a small minority have attended with the sole purpose of attacking police officers, or violently confronting other protesters'.
He said almost 230 arrests have been made so far, 128 of which related to Saturday's gathering which saw far-right demonstrators clash with officers in Westminster.
Mr Javid appealed to the public for their help to identify people, saying: 'We are now asking for the public's help in identifying people, who we need to talk to about the violence seen at the protests. If you have any information, no matter how small, please get in touch.'
Police have been looking through hours of CCTV, officers' body worn video and social media footage to identify people who might have been involved in violence.
The force added there is a 'high likelihood' they will be releasing more images of others wanted in connection with the clashes 'in due course'.
BLM protests erupted worldwide following the death of George Floyd, 46, who died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25.
Demonstrators have flouted social distancing rules to flood the streets across Britain in protests against racial injustice and police brutality.
While many protests have remained peaceful, police, demonstrators and members of the media have been injured in the violence.
Activists, some wearing face coverings or face masks as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, hold placards as they attend a BLM protest to Trafalgar Square in London on June 12. There is no suggestion those pictured here and below are wanted by police
Officers carrying protective shields stand guard after a flare hits the pavement during the anti-racism rally in London, June 7
A firework is set off as clashes take place between police officers and Black Lives Matter demonstrators in Whitehall, June 7
Historic statues from Britain's imperial past have become the focal point of many demonstrations in recent weeks.
It came after a monument of 17th century slave trader and politician Edward Colston was torn down in Bristol and dumped in the harbour.
The police appeal came after the Prime Minister said protesters desecrating war memorials will face tough new laws in the wake of demonstrations across Britain.
Boris Johnson used Prime Ministers Questions on Wednesday to warn attacks on public property will be 'met with the full force of the law'.
Ministers are believed to be considering sentences of up to 10 years for the worst offenders after the Cenotaph and the statue of Britain's greatest Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill were targeted by BLM protesters.
A far-right protester was also jailed for 14 days this week for urinating next to a memorial to a PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in a terror attack on Parliament.
Mr Johnson told the Commons: 'I can also confirm we are looking at new ways in which we may legislate against vandalism of war memorials.'
People taking part in a BLM protest in Marble Arch, London, June 13. Demonstrations erupted globally after the death of George Floyd , 46, who died after police officer Derek Chauvin put his knee on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25
Ministers are believed to be considering sentences of up to 10 years for the worst offenders, after the Cenotaph and a statue of Britain's greatest PM Sir Winston Churchill were targeted
The police appeal comes after Boris Johnson used Prime Ministers Questions to warn attacks on public property will be 'met with the full force of the law'
Mr Johnson also said he was a 'huge admirer' of one of his aides who has questioned the existence of institutional racism and hit out at a 'culture of grievance'.
No10 advisers are said to be keen for the PM to take stands on cultural issues, focusing on improving life chances instead of bowing to pressure from the Left.
The choice of Munira Mirza, the head Mr Johnson's policy unit, to set up the new race commission appears to be a sign of the government's approach.
Supporters say she is an advocate of data-driven policies but campaigners and Labour MPs claim she is a denier of institutional racism.
They say that she should not be playing a key role in the response to the BLM protests.
Supporters of Munira Mirza say she is an advocate of data-driven policies, but campaigners and Labour MPs say she is a denier of institutional racism
They also raised concerns over her alleged decision to give a role to Trevor Phillips, the former head of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, who has angered some with past comments on British Asian communities.
Mr Johnson was asked if he agreed with Dr Mirza on her 'culture of grievance' remark.
He said: 'I am a huge admirer of Dr Munira Mirza, who is a brilliant thinker about these issues and we are certainly going to proceed with a new cross-governmental commission to look at racism and discrimination.
'It will be a very thorough piece of work looking at discrimination in health, in education, in the criminal justice system.
'It is clear from the Black Lives Matter march and all representations that we've had that more work needs to be done.'
