Static Al Quds Day Protest Could Still Spark Serious Disorder, Former Tsar Warns
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, approved a request from the Metropolitan Police on Tuesday evening to ban the annual Al Quds Day march in London, scheduled for Sunday. This decisive action was taken specifically to prevent serious public disorder. However, a significant loophole in current public order legislation has been highlighted, raising concerns that the event could still proceed as a static protest and potentially cause significant disruption.
Loophole in Legislation Exposed
Lord Walney, the former independent adviser on political violence and domestic extremism, has issued a stark warning. He pointed out that while the ban on the march was the correct decision, the risk of serious disorder may not be substantially reduced if organisers simply switch to a static rally. The core issue lies in the legislation itself, which does not grant ministers the power to prohibit protests that remain in a single location.
"It was the right decision to ban this due to the risk of serious disorder," Lord Walney told the Press Association. "But it's not clear how that risk would be substantially lessened if they go ahead with a static protest. This does highlight the loophole in our public order legislation, which is well-intentioned due to the freedom of assembly. But that freedom is not absolute."
He emphasised that in exceptional cases, such as this one, it should be logical for police to recommend that a large, static protest should also be prevented from proceeding. Lord Walney urged the Home Secretary to examine this legislative gap with urgency, citing the volatile situation already spilling over onto British streets.
March Ban and Organiser's Response
This ban marks the first time a protest march has been prohibited since 2012. The planned route was to begin outside Downing Street, proceed past Parliament, and conclude outside the Home Office. The Metropolitan Police cited previous Al Quds Day marches, which have resulted in arrests for supporting terrorist organisations and committing antisemitic hate crimes, as a key reason for their request.
In response, the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), the group organising the event, has strongly condemned the decision. They announced their intention to proceed with a static protest on Sunday instead. In a statement on their website, the IHRC accused the police of abandoning their principle of policing without fear or favour, calling the ban a politically charged decision rather than one made for public security.
The organisation stated they are seeking legal advice regarding the prohibition.
Political Backing and Broader Context
The protest had drawn significant criticism and political attention due to apparent backing for the Iranian regime, after organisers expressed support for the country's late leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The decision by Home Secretary Mahmood follows calls from both Labour and Conservative MPs to ban the march, reflecting cross-party concern.
Al Quds Day, named after the Arabic term for Jerusalem, is traditionally held on the last Friday of Ramadan. The event's transformation into a static rally now tests the limits of current public order powers and places a spotlight on the balance between safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly and preventing serious disorder linked to international tensions.
