Cornwall Council extra security as 'intelligence' received

It also notified Devon and Cornwall Police, in addition to increased security at the council headquarters.

The move followed a protest at a full council meeting in February when members of Palestine Solidarity Cornwall (PSC) called for a ceasefire in Gaza and staged a “die-in” outside New County Hall on Treyew Road, Truro, before storming the building and lying on the floor of the reception area.

Two members of the group disrupted the meeting from the public gallery and there was chanting of “from the river to the sea”, which is widely regarded as an anti-Semitic statement.

Cornwall Council chairman Pauline Giles told councillors at Tuesday’s meeting that members had raised concerns with her and the authority’s chief executive Kate Kennally following the protest and associated public questions. One of the questions asked at the February meeting was “Please tell me if you accept and agree with the statement by three of the world’s most respected human rights organisations that Israel is an inherently racist state?”

Cllr Giles said various councillors had asked whether the protest and questions were in accordance with the council’s “very firm commitment to anti-racism, which includes that the council does not tolerate or promote any anti-Semitic views or practice”.

Members of Palestine Solidarity Cornwall protest outside County Hall (Lys Kernow) in Truro in February (Image: Lee Trewhela / LDRS)

She added: “I’ve been reassured that work has taken place to implement a new risk assessment for public meetings, which has been discussed and agreed with Devon and Cornwall Police which allows for people to peacefully protest on council land but does not impede the safety and orderly conduct of public meetings or members and staff alike.

“In recognition of the impact of global matters on our local democracy, the Monitoring Officer has put in place some new internal procedures for considering whether public questions should be permitted in accordance with the council procedure rules.”

Cllr Giles said steps had been taken for that day’s meeting to go ahead without disruption.

She told councillors: “In respect of today, members will also be aware that in line with the emerging risk assessment, a series of steps have been implemented on the basis of intelligence we received about a potential protest.

"This includes extra security being in place, no access to the public gallery permitted with members of the public wishing to view the meeting in person doing so from an alternative room, and the police being made aware with confirmation of a police response.”