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Question
Jarvis questioned the appropriate application of new powers allowing arrests for face coverings at protests, raising concerns about scenarios where protesters may need to conceal their identity for safety reasons.
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide specific details on how the power will be applied in scenarios involving legitimate safety concerns.
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Question
Jarvis asked about guidance to police forces regarding enforcement of the ban on flares and fireworks at large protests.
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide details on specific guidance for enforcement but acknowledged the challenge posed by enforcing the ban at large protests.
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Question
Jarvis inquired about a definition of hateful extremism and an updated counter-extremism strategy, citing the current one as being outdated.
Minister reply
The Minister did not specify when the Government will bring forward an updated counter-extremism strategy or provide a clear timeframe for defining hateful extremism.
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Question
Raises concerns about new powers for police to arrest protesters using face coverings, a ban on flares and fireworks, measures protecting war memorials, and asks for the definition of hateful extremism and an updated counter-extremism strategy.
Minister reply
Responds by explaining that guidelines will cover legitimate reasons for face coverings; clarifies ban on pyrotechnics applies only to those participating in protests; emphasises importance of protecting war memorials; states work is ongoing to define extremism with cross-Government involvement.
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Question
Supports measures while highlighting the need for demonstrations to be held by agreement with authorities, citing examples of disruptive protests.
Minister reply
Thanks Peter Bottomley for support; reiterates importance of co-operation between protesters and police for public protection.
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Question
Opposes measures, citing concerns about impact on legitimate protests and human rights.
Minister reply
Responds by criticising SNP's stance as divisive; emphasises the need for safeguarding public order against extremist actions.
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Question
This set of measures should be applied immediately when offences occur, especially concerning antisemitic protests. The lack of immediate action by the Metropolitan Police sends a disturbing message to Jewish communities.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is correct; police chiefs have requested these powers, and we are in discussions with them about their implementation. We condemn the level of antisemitism seen recently as vile and unacceptable.
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Question
The Home Affairs Select Committee has been investigating police resources during protests since 7 October, noting over 4,000 cancelled rest days for Met officers at a cost of £18.9 million up to December. Will the new laws come with additional resourcing and support for officer wellbeing?
Minister reply
We recognise the significant pressure on policing from these protests and have been supporting police forces as necessary, especially where there has been an uplift in numbers. However, resources will be managed carefully not to detract from neighbourhood policing.
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Question
Since 7 October, regular hate marches have forced Jewish Londoners to remove religious symbols and avoid areas out of fear. Only 16% of British Jews believe the police treat antisemitism equally with other hate crimes; will new measures target those expressing hatred towards British Jews?
Minister reply
I agree that antisemitic incidents are unacceptable, causing fear among Jewish communities. Since October protests began, over 600 arrests have been made, including 30 related to terrorism laws.
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Question
Welcoming legislation for protestors to be uncovered, referencing Northern Ireland’s experience. Could the Minister outline how soon this can be implemented and whether discussions are ongoing with the Northern Ireland Assembly?
Minister reply
While recognising the need for such measures, the context in Strangford may differ from protests elsewhere.
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Question
Proposed penalties of up to three months’ imprisonment or a £1,000 fine might be too lenient for repeat offenders. Could there be heavier penalties available?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an interesting point; however, these punishments are proportionate to the offences and other charges may also apply.
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Question
Welcoming measures to protect war memorials but suggesting scrutiny of details. Will amendments be part of the Criminal Justice Bill or as statutory instruments?
Minister reply
There will be limited, minor amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill for scrutiny on Report.
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Question
It is expected—and even reasonable—that those who lose the democratic debate in this place will take their protest on to the streets. However, we have seen a recent disturbing trend that the tactics of a minority now undermine and jeopardise the tradition of effective peaceful protest that we enjoy in this democracy. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the measures the Government have taken, and the measures he proposes today, are a reasonable response to such tactics, and that the tactics of the minority that have been employed, and that these measures address, are distorting and abusing the hard-won freedoms of this country to gather, to speak, and to protest peacefully?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point and if I may, I will build on it in combination with an earlier point. There are many people who served our country in various different ways over two world wars and in conflicts since then, whose memorials are either lost and known only unto God or are many thousands of miles away from their families. Families who have come to share our lives in the United Kingdom may have left behind them the graves of family members who served in those conflicts. I am thinking in particular of the 140,000 or so Muslim servicemen who served and lost their lives in the last two wars, of the many Jewish ex-servicemen who march as well, and of many others from around the world—from Africa, South America and Asia—who served in the pursuit of liberty and the defence of freedom in our country. This is their home now; those memorials remember their relatives and loved ones, and it is absolutely right that, for all communities in this country, we defend those moments of national memorial and the altars to liberty that they represent.
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Question
These measures may impact on those of my constituents who wish to protest outside this place or elsewhere over the border. The Minister says that enforcement actions will be taken by police officers at their discretion. How will the Government ensure that these measures will be applied uniformly, proportionately and appropriately across all of England’s police forces?
Minister reply
These are police powers, so the enforcement or application of them is operationally independent and down to the discretion of officers and chief constables as appropriate. That is how policing traditionally works. We do not have a national police force through which we can order police officers to arrest or not arrest individuals. We allow individual police officers to apply the law according to the guidelines that chief constables set out, and that is exactly what will happen in this circumstance.