Metropolitan Police Officers Outside the Headquarters of the Women's Social and Political Union

Metropolitan Police Officers outside the Headquarters of the Women's Social and Political Union, 4 Clements Inn awaiting the return of the Suffragette leaders, 12th October 1908. The photograph refers to the subsequent arrest of Emmeline and Christabel Pankhurst and Flora Drummond on their return from a meeting at which they urged supporters to 'rush' the House of Commons. The arrest warrant was read to the leaders by Inspector Jarvis, here depicted in the centre of the photograph wearing a cap. Arrested in the evening after the courts had closed the Suffragette leaders were detained overnight in the police cells their stay made more comfortable by a sympathetic MP who arranged for the Savoy Hotel to send in a table laid with silver and a feast served by three waiters. Found guilty of 'incitement' and conduct likely to provoke a breach of the peace at their subsequent trial the three leaders were sentenced to three months imprisonment in Holloway Gaol. Despite their arrest the 'rushing' of the Commons went ahead on October 13th without the leaders.