Boris Johnson has expressed his concern about the “worrying politicisation” of the Metropolitan Police after Scotland Yard launched a probe into alleged Israeli war crimes.
The Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit has launched an appeal for witnesses travelling through British airports to report allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Johnson, 59, condemned Scotland Yard for its decision after two officers were pictured removing posters calling for the release of Israeli hostages.
The former Prime Minister, who visited Israel just weeks after Hamas’ attack, told The Daily Telegraph: “This sounds like a worrying politicisation of the Met Police – especially after Met officers were seen tearing down posters of Israeli hostages in Gaza.”
He added: “When I was mayor of London I made it clear that we would not import foreign wars or disputes onto the streets of London.”
Johnson concluded by calling for more action to tackle knife crime, warning: “The Met would be better off fighting knife crime in the capital.”
Posters have been spotted in British airports encouraging travellers to report alleged war crimes.
It said: “If you have been in Israel/Palestinian Territories and have witnessed or been a victim of terrorism, war crimes or crimes against humanity, then you can report this to the UK police.”
The posters also stressed Scotland Yard is assisting a long-running probe into Israel by the International Criminal Court in the Hague.
“UK policing is supporting the work of the International Criminal Court, which is investigating alleged war crimes in Israel and Palestine from June 2014 onwards,” it added.
“Any evidence gathered may be shared with the ICC in support of their investigation.”
The ICC will also examine events since the October 7 attack and investigate allegations of war crimes by Palestinian factions.
However, Israel is not signed up to the ICC and does not recognise its jurisdiction.
Johnson has also been critical of the ICC’s investigation.
More than 40 referrals have been made in recent weeks, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “As the UK’s investigative authority for war crimes, counter-terrorism policing – through the Met’s war crimes team – has a responsibility to support ICC investigations. The ICC opened an investigation in 2019 into alleged war crimes in Israel and Palestine.”
It added: “Under the terms of the 1998 Rome Statute, our war crimes team is obliged to support any investigations opened by the ICC that could involve British subjects” and said the posters were put up to meet that obligation.
“With higher volumes of British nationals and UK-based individuals currently returning from Israel, Gaza and nearby countries, we anticipate there may be people who have evidence or relevant information to the ICC investigation.
“We are therefore signposting people to reporting routes where appropriate.
“The Met’s Counter-Terrorism Command also continues to gather direct information and evidence relating to the terrorist attack in Israel on Oct 7 in support of the UK coronial investigations into British nationals who were killed during those attacks.
“At this time, there is no UK-based investigation by the war crimes team linked to the current events in the Middle East.”
The Metropolitan Police is also “working round the clock” to identify suspected “terrorism offending” after setting up a task force to investigate potential crimes committed online and during protests.
Around 150 cases are being investigated, with approximately 30 probes relating to alleged offences committed during protests in the capital.
However, Scotland Yard keeps coming under fire for its response to pro-Palestinian protesters.
Jewish leaders and senior politicians have accused the Metropolitan Police of double standards in failing to arrest pro-Hamas demonstrators for glorifying terrorism.
The force came under further pressure in October when two officers were pictured removing posters for the release of Israeli hostages.
Scotland Yard said the pair were acting to defuse local tensions.
Concern about events in the Middle East comes months after Israel vowed to destroy Hamas following the terrorist organisation’s barbaric attack on October 7.
Around 1,200 Israelis were killed during the atrocious onslaught and more than 200 people were taken hostage.
Retaliatory strikes in Gaza have so far killed around 20,000 Palestinians.
There have been growing calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East as the death toll continues to rise.
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