A SOUTHAMPTON MP has asked the Home Secretary to "step in" after the decision on a vigil for Sarah Everard was "reversed by police". 

Organisers of a vigil in response to the disappearance Ms Everard have started to take legal action after claiming police reversed a decision on allowing it to go ahead.

They said there had been an “about-face” by the Met Police and were told Saturday’s 'Reclaim These Streets' event would not be permitted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The group said in a statement on Thursday evening that they would seek an order in the High Court on Friday, challenging the force’s interpretations of Covid-19 restrictions when read against human rights law.

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to “step in” and allow the vigil to go ahead so women can share their sorrow over Ms Everard’s disappearance and express their solidarity against male violence in a socially distanced way.

Scotland Yard said it understands the “public’s strength of feeling” and that the Met remains in discussion with organisers “in light of the current Covid regulations”.

Ms Nokes said the Met appears to have sent “mixed messages” over the event as she called on the Home Secretary to help the organisers.

“I have asked Priti to step in and enable it to happen,” she told the PA news agency.

She said Ms Patel “can send a very clear message that, at this awful time, when women want to express their sorrow” at Ms Everard’s disappearance and “show their determination not to be intimidated by male violence against women and their solidarity with each other, they should be allowed to do so in a safe and socially distanced way”.

A Metropolitan Police statement said: “We understand the public’s strength of feeling and are aware of the statement issued by Reclaim These Streets with regard to a planned vigil for Sarah Everard in Clapham Common this weekend.

“We remain in discussion with the organisers about this event in light of the current Covid regulations.”

The vigil, due to take place at Clapham Common bandstand in south London.

The event was organised after 33-year-old Ms Everard’s suspected kidnap and murder sparked anger over the safety of women on the UK’s streets.

She was last seen in Clapham, south London, on 3 March.

Police searching for Ms Everard have confirmed that human remains had been found in woodland in Kent on Wednesday, but detectives have not yet confirmed their identity.

A Met Police officer, in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion both of kidnap and murder.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said it had launched an investigation after receiving five referrals from the Met Police in relation to its handling of the case.