Laws must ‘protect our values from intimidation’ by protesters
SWEEPING measures to crack down on protests have been proposed by the Government’s adviser on political violence.
They include making organisers pay towards policing and a review of surveillance of activist groups.
Among Lord Walney’s other suggested changes to “protect our democratic values from intimidation” are a ban on face coverings at protests and making it easier for firms or the public to claim damages from groups that cause disruption.
He also wants the Government to consider setting up protest buffer zones around MPs’ constituency offices and local council chambers, in the same way that some abortion clinics will be protected.
The peer backs measures to restrict the ability of some groups to organise and fundraise if they are considered to have a policy of using criminal offences that would lead to jail, such as destroying property or causing serious disruption or injury.
Responding, former PM Liz Truss said: “Terrorist sympathisers, woke extremists and de-growthers are holding our country to ransom. We must end this intimidation and defend our democracy.” Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said most activists are law-abiding “but... protest can create an environment where small numbers of extremists who aim to create division and fuel hatred commit offences. These have led to swift arrests in many cases.
“We have also seen that the regular frequency of marches in central London has led some, particularly Jewish Londoners, to change their behaviour out of fear.”
Ex-Labour MP Lord Walney warned protests are being “routinely driven by extreme activists” who are “often people who advocate extremist and anti-democratic forms of politics that have little traction with voters”.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said he would carefully consider the ideas: “The right to protest is a vital part of democracy, but there is absolutely no place for criminality. Too often, we have seen vile displays of hate crime and aggressive tactics used by so-called protesters.”