Tory MPs have reacted with fury after a pro-Palestinian protest was allowed to be set up next to the Cenotaph commenorating the war dead in Whitehall.

One MP described the protest as “a desecration” of “a sacred site” and there have been demands to have it removed.

It follows thousands of anti-Israel protests swarming into London yesterday with some glorifying the Hamas terrorist atrocities inflicted on Israeli citizens including babies last weekend.

It was initially claimed that Labour run Westminster Council would have needed given permission for the protest on a site constructed immediately next to the Cenotaph.

However,a source at the council said: “It is always a police decision.”

But a Met Police spokesman said: “I understand this would sit with council and not us.”

Bassetlaw MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said that pro-Palestinian protests “should be banned” as they have in other European countries including France.

He said: “It’s outrageous to have it surrounding the cenotaph.”

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt, deputy chairman of the Tory Common Sense Group, said: “Under no circumstances should something like this be allowed. It’s beyond disrespectful.

“The Cenotaph remembers all those who have died fighting for our country and it’s values. Apologists for terror do not represent these values and should be allowed nowhere near such a sacred national monument.”

Westminster MP Nickie Aitken, a former leader of the council, described the decision as “inappropriate.”

She said: “I find it difficult to understand why permission would be given for any protest should take place around the cenotaph. Parliament or Trafalgar Squares are far more appropriate.”

The image came courtesy of a picture taken by Conservative member and political commentator Emily Hewertson.

She said: “Setting up a protest around The Cenotaph…How disrespectful can you get?”

The image clearly shows a constructed platform with Palestinian flags and protected by barriers even though currently it is empty.

It included a highly offensive anti-Israel poster with the words: “End the violence. No Apartheid. End the occupation.”

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel struggled to believe it had been allowed.

She said: “So much for all the tough talk around this issue. This is insane.”

Former Armed Forces Minister and member of the Defence select Committee Mark Francois also expressed his shock.

He said: “The Cenotaph is our national memorial that commemorates the dead in two World Wars.

“It is therefore hallowed ground.

“Under no circumstances whatsoever, should it ever be utilised as a premeditated venue for a political protest, of any kind.

“Whoever has sanctioned this utter disgrace must have truly lost their minds.”