Crime and Policing

I want to thank the many people of Islington South and Finsbury that have got in touch to champion the right to protest and share their concerns for various causes related to criminal justice. Please know I completely support this right as a fundamental principle of our democracy, and I will always defend the rights of my constituents to have their views heard. 

In particular, I am relieved to hear that those who were on rolling hunger strike have now ended their strike and are beginning their recovery back to health. I know that it is incredibly distressing to think of anyone on hunger strike. I have spoken to a number of those prisoners’ supporters and the lawyers representing them. I agree that it is quite wrong that they have been remanded in custody for such a long time. I am clear that everyone deserves to have their day in court and argue their case. The backlog in our criminal justice system must be cleared.   

I know many have also shared their concerns for the proposed Crime and Policing Bill, especially as it relates to cumulative disruption. I have been assured that the expansion of police powers relating to protest are not designed to curtail the right to peaceful assembly but to protect places of worship. The reforms enable police to establish routes, locations and times that cause the least fear and disruption to specific religious communities.  

The Home Secretary is reviewing the current legislation to ensure protests are protected. The right to protest is firmly established in UK law under the Human Rights Act 1998, and the police must uphold the right to freedom of assembly and expression. Protests will not be prevented from happening, but if disruption has been caused in the same location for weeks on end, the police may suggest re-routing the protest or moving to a new location for the benefit of locals.  

Please be assured I will pay close attention to the application of these proposals.