West MPs critical of
ANUMBER of West MPs have criticised the policing of the vigil for Sarah Everard on Clapham Common on Saturday evening.
Bath Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse was most vocal in her criticism.
The leadership of the Metropolitan Police have come in for widespread criticism and allegations of heavyhandedness as photographs and video footage of people being restrained emerged.
In a series of tweets Ms Hobhouse said: “Is this really 21st century Britain? What is our police doing?
“Whatever has happened to policing for the community on behalf of the community?
“Until now I have accepted the restriction on our liberty imposed by Covid. Last night’s event on Clapham Common now make me wonder whether I have been too complacent.
“If the right to have your voices heard is shut down in such a draconian way something is very wrong.”
She went on to say: “Next week the Tory government is trying to push through restrictions on the right to protest.
“Even before last night it was clear that this was an attack on our freedoms and our democracy.
“These restrictions will be used to silence the people.”
In the wake of the scenes in Clapham Labour MP for Bristol North West Darren Jones also expressed his reservations about legislation coming before parliament this week.
He said: “Lots of constituents have been in touch about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill before the House this week.
“I’ll be voting against it on Tuesday, and hope that the Government will work with Labour to bring forward a better Bill in due course.”
Swindon MP Robert Buckland, the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, said that this case, like the Soham murders of 2002, has raised broad and challenging questions for society.
Writing in the Telegraph he said reforms being made by the Government will toughen laws against those who commit sexual and violent crimes.
He said: “The Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill, which I introduced with the Home Secretary last week, contains more that will protect women and girls who are victims of crime.
“We will lengthen jail time for serious sexual offenders, by increasing the minimum term in prison to be served before parole under life sentences imposed for rape and the most serious assaults.”
However critics of parts of the bill believe it will give police more powers to clamp down on legitimate protests.
Emmanuelle Andrews, policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, told the Guardian: “These plans are a staggering assault on our right to protest as well as an attack on other fundamental rights.
“Police already have extensive powers to restrict protests, and frequently go beyond them even though it is their duty to facilitate the exercise of this right.”
Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy meanwhile urged Home Secretary Priti Patel to face-up to MPs today.
Writing on Saturday night, she said: “I hope Priti Patel, having got it so wrong over BLM/Colston, will come to Commons on Monday and show empathy and respect for the women who took part in tonight’s vigil.”
Mark Harper, the Forest of Dean MP who is a former chief whip and a leading voice on the Tory backbenches against much of the lockdown legislation, was also critical.
He wrote: “Many are rightly horrified by this evening’s scenes.
“There are serious questions for the Met Police Commissioner to answer.
“But those who supported Covid Regulations governing these scenes without asking questions should