A Holocaust remembrance event on the site of a planned memorial in London only went ahead after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer intervened.
The Royal Parks initially told organisers of last Sunday’s Yom HaShoah UK that it could not be held in a park next to the Houses of Parliament which is earmarked for the new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.
But Ms Frazer, who is Jewish, intervened and the event was allowed to go ahead in Victoria Tower Gardens.
The Government last year re-affirmed plans to create a national Holocaust memorial in the Gardens.
Ms Frazer (pictured), who is Jewish, intervened and the event was allowed to go ahead in Victoria Tower Gardens
The Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis pictured speaking at the remembrance event on May 5
However, the location has sparked controversy with critics say the park is the wrong site for the £137million project, while others insist beside Parliament is exactly the right place to remember Holocaust victims.
In a statement yesterday, the Royal Parks – which manages the Gardens – said its initial decision to refuse permission for the Yom HaShoah to take place there was based on its ‘longstanding policy’ of not allowing ‘religious activity’ in its parks apart from annual acts of remembrance where memorials already exist – such as Hyde Park, where previous Yom HaShoahs have taken place.
But a spokesperson added: ‘Considering the proposals to bring the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to Victoria Tower Gardens, the Royal Parks were asked by the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to consider holding the event in Victoria Tower Gardens, which we accepted.
‘The Royal Parks has very good relations with the event organisers and were glad to give them over a month’s notice to hold the event at Victoria Tower Gardens.’
The Royal Parks initially told organisers of last Sunday’s Yom HaShoah UK that it could not be held in a park. Pictured: The remembrance event on May 5
The revelation that the Culture Secretary had intervened comes two weeks after a row over a decision by the Royal Parks to cover up the Holocaust memorial in Hyde Park amid fears of vandalism during a pro-Palestinian march.
A spokesman for Yom HaShoah UK said last night that it had wanted to find a location that would provide ‘reassurance to our shaken community’ and ‘was fully accessible for our inspirational Holocaust survivors’.
Ms Frazer declined to comment.