The chief’s job is not in jeopardy despite calls for him to resign over the protests in Gaza

The job of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner is not at stake, government sources have insisted, as Britain’s most senior police officer came under pressure to resign.

Sir Mark Rowley has faced calls to quit over his force’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests after an officer was filmed describing an anti-Semitism activist as “openly Jewish”.

Video footage showed another officer telling Gideon Falter, the director of the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), that he would be arrested if he did not leave the area of ​​a Gaza protest in central London because his presence was “antagonistic ” used to be.

The force apologized before being forced to issue another statement apologizing for its first apology, which suggested that opponents of pro-Palestinian marches “must know that their presence is provocative.”

Both Mr Falter and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman called on Sir Mark to resign, accusing him of “encouraging” anti-Semites by failing to curtail the now regular marches through the capital.

While government sources have expressed their condemnation of the incident involving Mr Falter, they have been keen to emphasize that no one in the government is threatening Sir Mark’s position.

One source said: “The Prime Minister has seen the footage and is as shocked as everyone else by the officer calling Mr Falter ‘openly Jewish’.

“He expects the Met Commissioner to account for how it happened and what he will do to ensure officers do more to make London’s Jewish communities feel safe – and that Sadiq Khan will do his job by to hold the Met to account.”

Sir Mark is expected to meet Home Secretary James Cleverly next week to discuss the incident.

Both Mr Cleverly and Mr Khan, the Mayor of London, have a responsibility to hold the Commissioner to account, although the Mayor is the one who should set the strategic direction for policing in London.

A spokesman for Mr Khan said the Met’s handling of the incident was “concerning” and that the initial statement was “insensitive and wrong”.

The spokesperson added: “The Met has an extremely difficult job – especially when it comes to operational decisions made during police marches.

“But ultimately the Met must have the trust of the communities they serve and it is right that they have apologized for the way the incident was handled and for their original public response.”

Sir Mark said: “Every member of the Met is determined to ensure that London is a city where everyone feels safe.

“We absolutely understand how vulnerable Jewish and Muslim Londoners feel since the terrorist attacks on Israel.

“Some of our actions have increased these concerns. Personally, I repeat our apology from earlier this week.

“Today, like every other day, our officers will continue to police with courage, empathy and impartiality.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We welcome the apology from US police and recognize the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests, but simply being Jewish – or of any other race or religion – should never be seen as provocative seen.

“Everyone of any religion should have the freedom to live their own lives and feel safe doing so.”