Sarah Everard: Met defends policing of London vigil as 'necessary'

Amid cross-party anger, Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball says officers were put in a position where they had to take enforcement action'

The Metropolitan police have defended their policing of the London vigil in memory of Sarah Everard, after widespread criticism of the force's handling of the gathering.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, and Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, both said they had demanded an explanation from the Met, amid accusations that officers had grabbed women during clashes with the crowd and mismanaged the largely peaceful vigil in Clapham, south London.