Rishi Sunak has called for a ban on protests outside MPs' homes, telling senior police officers that the UK is descending into 'mob rule'. The Prime Minister demanded a crackdown on demonstrations outside parliament, political parties’ offices and town halls that may prevent use of a venue or cause alarm, harassment or distress.
Downing Street announced that ministers and senior police have signed a new 'democratic policing protocol' which treats protests at MPs' homes as intimidatory. The protocol commits forces to additional patrols and provides guidance that such protests should generally be considered intimidatory, with police having powers to direct protesters away under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
The move follows a roundtable meeting with police chiefs on Wednesday to discuss handling intimidation of MPs, candidates and councillors. Ministers have criticised regular mass protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict and disruptive tactics by groups like Just Stop Oil.
Civil liberties groups expressed concern. Tom Southerden of Amnesty International UK said Sunak's 'mob rule' language risks delegitimising peaceful protest. Ben Jamal of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign argued that a narrative about extremist intimidation is being used to restrict protest rights. The organisers of pro-Palestinian marches accused the government of focusing on 'hysteria' around the demonstrations.
On Tuesday, James Cleverly announced £31m in government funding for measures to protect MPs, including private bodyguards and security guards at constituency events. The new protocol also states that protests at democratic venues should not prevent access or cause alarm, harassment or distress.
