Vigil organisers lose court bid to overturn police ban

ORGANISERS of a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard last night lost a legal bid to overturn a police ban on the event.

An emergency hearing before the High Court rejected claims the Metropolitan Police had failed to take protesters’ human rights into account. It leaves this evening’s proposed vigil on Clapham Common in doubt, with organisers potentially facing £10,000 fines under Covid-19 rules.

Those arranging the event said Scotland Yard’s ban would ‘silence thousands of women like us who want to honour Sarah’s memory and stand up for our right to feel safe on our streets’.

Police initially told campaign group Reclaim These Streets they hoped it would be possible for the event to take place – but later said it could not proceed. Officers said their ‘hands were tied’ by Covid regulations which prohibit large gatherings.

Tom Hickman QC, for Reclaim These Streets, argued it was ‘a mistake’ for police to claim the Human Rights Act was trumped by the coronavirus regulations. However, the Met’s barrister George Thomas said it would ‘plainly be proportionate’ for the police to impose restrictions on the proposed vigil.

Mr Justice Holgate said he recognised the ‘tragic circumstances’ which had led to the challenge arising. But he ruled it would not be ‘appropriate for the court’ to make an ‘interim declaration’ sought by Reclaim These Streets.

However, the judge added: ‘It may well be that there will be further communication between the claimants and the solicitors they instruct and the police to deal with the application of the regulations... to this particular event and vigil.’ Senior Conservative MP Caroline Nokes had asked Home Secretary Priti Patel to ‘step in’ and permit the vigil.

Commander Catherine Roper, from the Met, said: ‘Today’s ruling in the High Court has confirmed that the Metropolitan Police may conclude that attendance at a large gathering could be unlawful.’

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman also urged people not to attend planned events in Edinburgh and Glasgow. She said: ‘I will light that candle on Saturday night, I will engage via social media to show my frustration, my anger, that women are still not safe on our streets, still not safe from male violence on our streets at any time of the day.

‘I will not join a public vigil because that risks everyone from this virus.’

Reclaim These Streets said it was pleased the ruling made clear that protests are not completely banned under lockdown rules.

‘We call on the police to act within the law now and confirm that they will work with us to ensure that the protest can go ahead.’

‘Silence thousands of women like us’