A new law that arrested six anti-monarchy protesters on Coronation Day has been criticised for being excessively broad and vulgar.
Sir Peter Fahy, the former police superintendent of Greater Manchester, stated that “poor police officers” were left to interpret legislation “passed only a few days before the Coronation.”
Conservative Party member David Davis urged the Home Affairs Select Committee review the legislation.
The government, however, stated that it is “the right legislation.”
Graham Smith, the chief executive officer of the anti-monarchy group Republic, was one of those detained, and he has stated that he will file a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Police because he was arrested and released without charge by police as a result of modifications to the Public Order Act.
The Metropolitan Police stated there was no evidence that the six protestors apprehended when their vehicle was stopped near the procession route intended to use “lock on” devices.
Demonstrators cannot use “lock-on” devices to attach to railings after last week’s legislative amendment.
The force subsequently expressed “regret” that those arrested were unable to join the larger group of protesters. Because no evidence of intent to use the items in this manner was found.
Mr. Smith from Bristol stated that he had received a personal apology, but it was insufficient.
He had “close conversation” with the Metropolitan Police Department four months before the Coronation about the group’s protest preparations.
Sir Peter, former Greater Manchester police superintendent, said Parliament the new rule was “poorly defined and far too broad.”
This law could impact local protests and be used against you to push authorities.
This law could impact local protests and be used against you to push authorities.
In actuality, the government has reduced the police’s discretion in striking the proper equilibrium.
Only former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis voted against the Public Order Bill changes.
“Too many elements of the law are overly simplistic and broadly defined,” he told The Today Show.
“The government stated that it expects the police to establish behavior standards. This is quite woolly. We should accomplish that efficiently, centrally, and democratically nationwide.
No one wants a day to be ruined, but in British democracy, the right to display placards is essentially absolute.
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has asked Scotland Yard for “further clarity” since peaceful protest is part of democracy.
He tweeted, “While the police must be able to keep us safe, this must be balanced with the protection of the right to peaceful protest. Which is an integral element of our democracy.
Londoners will want prompt assurance that any necessary lessons will be learned.
Lisa Nandy, the shadow housing minister, stated, “Clearly something has gone wrong” in the handling of Mr. Smith’s case and voiced her support for a review of the matter, as requested by Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London.
She said Labour would not “completely repeal” the new law, which has been criticised for curbing peaceful protesters’ rights.
She said, “One of the questions we have is why this group, which was clearly in contact with the Metropolitan Police Department and had informed them of their plans, was still arrested and prevented from protesting?”
“If there is a problem with the legislation, of course, we’ll fix it in government, but we’re not interested in repealing the entire statute without first determining what the actual issue is.”
The civil liberties advocacy group Liberty stated that the government “rushed through” the Public Order Act before the Coronation.
“This is the second piece of draconian legislation passed in less than a year to restrict our right to protest,” said Sam Grant, the advocacy director for the organization. This is not the first time we have witnessed excessive and inappropriate protest policing.
“Correct legislation”
However, government minister Neil O’Brien stated that “overall in a difficult situation” the police performed admirably during the weekend’s events. Mr. O’Brien stated that the Public Order Act was “the right legislation” and that it was necessary to target a “tiny and extremely self-centered minority” that was “out to cause chaos.” The balance is correct,” he insisted. He stated that the Met was justified in apologizing for any errors.
On Monday, Rishi Sunak thanked the police for making the Coronation weekend “go so well, so successfully, and so safely.”
“The police are operationally independent of the government, and they will make these decisions based on their best judgment,” he told broadcasters at a Big Help Out volunteering event in Hertfordshire.
