The Crown actor who starred in hit Netflix show to be quizzed by cops over pro-Palestinian protest
A STAR of The Crown, who played Princess Diana's lover in the hit show, is set to be quizzed by cops over his involvement in a pro-Palestine protest.
Khalid Abdalla, who played Dodi Fayed in the Netflix show, has been summoned to attend a "formal interview" by the Met Police over the rally on January 18.
Taking to Instagram, the 44-year-old said it "remains to be seen if this will result in charges".
Eight other people are also set to be interviewed.
January's Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) protest was adjusted to be a static rally after police curtailed organisers' plans for a march past the BBC and near a synagogue.
But a large group marched towards Trafalgar Square from Whitehall after speeches were made at the rally.
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In his statement, shared on Monday, Khalid said that pro-Palestine voices were being silenced by British authorities.
He said: "On Thursday, alongside others, including Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, I received a letter from the Metropolitan Police summoning me to attend 'a formal interview' in relation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest of Jan 18th.
"It remains to be seen if this will result in charges.
"I've expressed my feelings on the experience of that day on previous posts available online."
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He added: "The right to protest is under attack in this country and it requires us all to defend it.
"While there is an alarming rise in attempts to censor voices that stand up for Palestine, even as it faces open calls for ethnic cleansing, it will not work.
"The days of silencing after intimidation are gone. The stakes are too high, and as well can see today with No Other Land winning at the Oscars, momentum is on the side of justice, and shared humanity.
"I will not be making further comment on the Jan 18th protest for legal reasons, for now, but in every other way, I will continue to put my energies towards the better world that we so clearly need, and which requires all of us to work together to turn into a reality.
"Let us be the chance we want to see in the world, and make it happen. Let our solidarity be in flow."
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson refused to confirm the identities of the parties involved.
They said: "As part of our ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of Public Order Act conditions on Saturday, January 18, we have invited a further eight people to be interviewed under caution at a police station.
"While we are aware of names being attributed to those who have been invited for interview, we do not confirm the identity of anyone under investigation."
A spokesperson for the PSC said the organisation "condemned" the punitive measures.
They added : "What is claimed by the police as justification for this massive overreach of their powers is a complete misrepresentation of what took place, not just on the day but beforehand.
Khalid Abdulla's full statement on the January 18 protest
"On Thursday, alongside others, including Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, I received a letter from the Metropolitan Police summoning me to attend 'a formal interview' in relation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign protest of Jan 18th.
"It remains to be seen if this will result in charges.
"I've expressed my feelings on the experience of that day on previous posts available online.
"The right to protest is under attack in this country and it requires us all to defend it.
"While there is an alarming rise in attempts to censor voices that stand up for Palestine, even as it faces open calls for ethnic cleansing, it will not work.
"The days of silencing after intimidation are gone. The stakes are too high, and as well can see today with No Other Land winning at the Oscars, momentum is on the side of justice, and shared humanity.
"I will not be making further comment on the Jan 18th protest for legal reasons, for now, but in every other way, I will continue to put my energies towards the better world that we so clearly need, and which requires all of us to work together to turn into a reality.
"Let us be the chance we want to see in the world, and make it happen. Let our solidarity be in flow."
"We will not be cowed by these attacks on our rights.
"We demand that the Metropolitan Police halt any prosecutions or proceedings against those involved in this entirely peaceful protest."
Khalid shot into the limelight when he joined the cast of The Crown in 2022.
He played the son of business magnate Mohamed Al-Fayed's throughout seasons 5 and 6 of the hit show.
The British actor - who was born to Egyptian parents - starred alongside Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, and Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II.
He received a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the series.
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Two days after the protest on January 18 - days after the announcement of a ceasefire deal - Khalid came out in solidarity with Ben Jamal, head of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who was facing criminal charges following the rally.
Khalid said: "One day this country will hang tis head in shame that on the eve of a ceasefire, charges were brought against people who led the largest peaceful protest movement in recent British history to prevent a genocide. Total solidarity."
