Balancing the rights of protestors with the need to prevent disruption
SIR – Changes to the Public Order Act are meant to enable the police and security services to deal effectively with illegal disruptions during King Charles’s Coronation (“Police investigate motorist who ‘collided with’ eco-activists”, report, May 3).
There is no doubt that protest organisations may see the event as an opportunity to highlight particular points of view. The problem the authorities have is to balance the rights of law-abiding, peaceful protestors against the need to prevent illegal disruption.
Appearing on Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday, Tom Tugendhat, the security minister, was asked by Nick Robinson to define what protestors could or could not do under the current law. I found his response bizarre. He refused to answer, saying that to do so would give protestors the chance to seek loopholes in the law.
Surely – for the purposes of lawful policing and giving citizens the opportunity to comply – the law should be more clear. Or is ambiguity the desired effect so that the police can shut down any protests, lawful or not, to get through the day?
Wilson Mclellan Ashby Magna, Leicestershire
SIR – I welcome the Government’s determination to crack down on protestors whose actions prevent others going about their lawful business. Such “peaceful” protest is a thinly disguised act of violence, which causes psychological, social, financial and physical harm to others.
Andy Brown Derby
SIR – Do readers remember Paul Gallico’s novel Coronation? It’s a delightful story of a family travelling to London in 1953 for the event. It does not go as planned but they have a wonderful day. Though it is decades since I read it, I recall the story and the pleasure it gave. It’s probably too twee and heart-warming for today’s readers.
Kate Sigrist Burnham-on-sea, Somerset
SIR – Although not over-fond of some of the ingredients in the Coronation quiche, I decided I would nonetheless try making one.
But when I went shopping at the weekend, none of the stores I visited – Marks & Spencer, Asda, Tesco or Sainsbury’s – had fresh tarragon in their herb sections. Am I too late in sourcing this herb? Have too many other pastry chefs beaten me to it?
I love the aroma of tarragon and can’t believe that it is not in season in some part of the world, although flying it in would go against the King’s green and home-grown policies.
Marjorie Graham Aberdeen
SIR – I feel sure that Jacob Rees-mogg’s nanny would take issue with him over his comments about “loathsome” broad beans in the Coronation quiche (report, May 3). They are a great source of protein and carbohydrates, as well as vitamins A, B1 and B2.
Tim Jackson Gullane, East Lothian