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A clip posted on Twitter appears to show the female officer chatting to a protester and giving them a hug. She then shouts “free, free Palestine” before cheering with the crowd during the demonstration over the weekend.

The force has said its internal Directorate of Professional Standards is investigating what happened.

The clip has sparked a backlash on Twitter, with users questioning whether the officer should have been expressing political views while on duty.

Former Sky News presenter Colin Brazier tweeted: “Allowing the people we consent to police us to express a political view is a truly serious regression.”

Author and columnist Nick Timothy said: “If this officer isn’t suspended by the end of the day, there will be serious questions of the Met. What is happening to the police?”

Susan Hall, leader of the Greater London Authority Conservative group, wrote: “The Police are supposed to be neutral- this is not good enough @metpoliceuk – please investigate, the Officer is recognisable.”

Conservative commentator Darren Grimes tweeted: “If this truly is a Met officer, it is utterly damning for the reputation of the police as a politically impartial guardian of the peace.

“We have seen over this last year cops have been emboldened in taking partisan stances.

“A wholly unsustainable position.”

Commentator Mahyar Tousi added: “This is disgusting bias by the Met.”

In a statement, the Met Police said: “We are aware of a video that has been posted on social media which shows an officer joining in with chanting while on duty at a demonstration.

“While officers are encouraged to positively engage with those attending demonstrations, they know they are not to actively participate or adopt political positions.

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“This is vital to ensuring the public have confidence in our officers.

“The Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and are investigating the full circumstances of this incident and to determine what further action is appropriate.”

A post on the Twitter account Metropolitan Police Events insisted that officers must remain “impartial” while on duty at protests.

It said: “We police hundreds of events and protests every year and officers must remain independent and impartial in carrying out their duties.”

Protests took place in London and in other cities across the UK over the weekend following violence between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.

The incident follows controversy last summer when officers were seen taking the knee in a gesture of solidarity with Black Lives Matter protesters.

Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick said afterwards that officers should not take such action while on duty.

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