The British government's move to lower the threshold of when police can restrict peaceful protests was ruled unlawful in the High Court on Tuesday.

Reuters

An attempt by the UK government to lower the threshold of when police can restrict peaceful protests was ruled unlawful in London's High Court on Tuesday.

Civil rights group Liberty, a civil rights had challenged the statutory instrument which lowered the threshold for "serious disruption" from "significant" and "prolonged" to "more than minor." The measures also allowed police to take into account "any relevant cumulative disruption" of repeated protests.

Evening Standard

Civil rights group Liberty had challenged the government policy, which lowered the threshold for "serious disruption" from "significant" and "prolonged" to "more than minor." The measures also allowed police to take into account "any relevant cumulative disruption" of repeated protests.

It came after Liberty, a civil rights group, challenged the move by the government to introduce a statutory instrument that lowered the threshold for what is considered "serious disruption" from "significant" and "prolonged" to "more than minor." It also allowed police to take into account "any relevant cumulative disruption" of repeated protests.

The government had tried to approve the measures by legislation in parliament last year within the Public Order Bill, before failing the House of Lords by a margin of 254-240 votes and then being introduced instead as a "statutory instrument."

Sky News

The government had tried to approve the measures by legislation in parliament last year. However, when they failed to pass in the House of Lords by a margin of 254-240 votes, they were introduced by means of the statutory instrument — a move that faces less scrutiny before becoming law.

It was this that was ruled unlawful by judges Nicholas Green and Timothy Kerr. However, the government was given permission to appeal the decision. Nonetheless, the law will not be in effect pending the conclusion of that outcome.

Judges Nicholas Green and Timothy Kerr concluded that they were "concerned" with the Home Office's ability to achieve government objectives via secondary legislation, while the policy's consultation process was not deemed fair.

judiciary.uk

Liberty described the judges' ruling "a huge victory for democracy." Meanwhile, the Home Office, which enacted the statutory instrument, labelled it "disappointing," before stating it would "consider all other options to keep this important power for police."

BBC News

Liberty described the judges' ruling "a huge victory for democracy." Meanwhile, the Home Office, which enacted the statutory instrument, labelled it "disappointing," but welcomed the opportunity to appeal. It added: "We will consider all other options to keep this important power for police."

Separately, the government on Tuesday published a 291-page review that recommended 41 additional powers to police to curb protests. They included recommendations for banning face coverings as well as making organisers contribute to policing costs. Home Secretary James Cleverly said he welcomed the report and was considering its proposals.

www.ft.com

Separately, the government on Tuesday published a 291-page review that recommended 41 additional powers to police to curb protests. They included recommendations for banning face coverings and making organisers contribute to policing costs.

Reuters #

Evening Standard #

Sky News #

The right to process is a vital part of democracy. However, we have seen on too many occasions that the actions of certain extremists go beyond what can be defined as peaceful protest and police have insufficient powers to respond. These measures are intended to protect our democratic processes from disruption and intimidation.

Homeofficemedia

Homeofficemedia #

Independent Review of political violence and disruption: Home Secretary Statement – Home Office in the media

The court's ruling to quash the government's attempt to introduce more police powers to crackdown on protests through the backdoor is a win for democracy and greatly welcomed. The government should listen to the complaints of protestors rather than seek to have them shut down and arrested.

Liberty

Liberty #

Court finds Government anti-protest legislation unlawful after Liberty legal challenge

There is a 30% that the UK will have a Conservative PM at the beginning of 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

Conservative UK PM on Jan 1, 2030

Martin Pope/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

UK: Court Rules New Police Powers to Curb Protests Are Unlawful

Politics

Legislation

United Kingdom

Freedom & human rights

Freedom of speech & expression

The right to process is a vital part of democracy. However, we have seen on too many occasions that the actions of extremists go beyond what can be defined as peaceful protest, and police been restricted by insufficient powers to respond. These measures are intended to protect our democratic processes from disruption and intimidation.

UK: Court Rules New Police Powers to Curb Protests Are Unlawful

UK: Court Rules New Police Powers to Curb Protests Are Unlawful

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

UK: Court Rules New Police Powers to Curb Protests Are Unlawful

UK: Court Rules New Police Powers to Curb Protests Are Unlawful

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters