Andrew Dismore

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has delayed a planned public forum in Barnet which was due to take place at Christ’s College School, East End Road, on Wednesday 27 January, after Andrew Dismore, Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, wrote to him to point out that it would clash with the national Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration.

The commemoration, which is due to be televised nationally, is likely to be watched by a substantial number of members of the Jewish community and other Barnet residents, leaving them unable to attend the meeting.

Mr Dismore said:

‘Given the recent atrocities in Paris and the high terror threat level, there is a lot of concern for safety in the Jewish community. There will be a lot of Jewish residents who will want to speak to the Police Commissioner and seek reassurance about their safety, but will be unable to attend the event due to the commemoration. I wrote to Sir Bernard to ask him to defer his meeting so that more people can attend. Holocaust Memorial Day is a national event and it is important that people can watch or attend the commemorations.’

Mr Dismore was instrumental in setting up Holocaust Memorial Day, when as the then MP for Hendon he introduced a Private Member’s Bill and obtiend the support of the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Mr Dismore added ‘I’m pleased the HMD has a high profile and importance nationally, and it’s right that if we want to commemorate it properly meetings will have to be rescheduled.’