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Public Order
08 June 2020
Lead MP
Priti Patel
Witham
Con
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 63
At a Glance
Priti Patel raised concerns about public order in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Response
Government Response
Emphasised support for the right to protest while maintaining public order, addressing social injustices constructively. Condemned violence against monuments and police forces, promising that justice will follow for those involved.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Home Secretary stated the Government's stance on racism and discrimination, condemning violence at protests but acknowledging the importance of the right to protest. She emphasised that large gatherings are illegal due to the ongoing public health emergency caused by coronavirus and expressed support for police officers who face violence during these protests.
Torfaen
The Labour MP condemned violence at protests but supported peaceful protestors. He urged the Home Secretary to act on the recommendations of various reports highlighting racial disparities and injustices, stressing that leaders must unite communities in times of division.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
The Home Secretary emphasised the importance of peaceful protest and social justice, while condemning violence during protests. She acknowledged the need to address inequalities and injustices in society but also condemned the violent actions that undermine the cause of social change. She highlighted the issues related to health inequalities, life chances, and policing by consent.
Bim Afolami
Con
Asked if peaceful protest is the best way to ensure black lives matter and improve social justice for ethnic minorities rather than violent actions that can undermine the Black Lives Matter movement's message.
Joanna Cherry
SNP
Edinburgh South
Expressed support for peaceful protesting, condemning violence and disorder but stressing that it is important to address legitimate concerns of protesters. She also called for a review of Government policies impacting BAME communities adversely.
Matthew Offord
Con
Hendon
Asked the Home Secretary to take every possible step, including cooperation with the Mayor of London, to prevent further demonstrations during the pandemic due to unacceptable violence witnessed in recent protests.
Yvette Cooper
Lab
Pontefract and Castleford
Joined others in condemning violence by a minority and called for an inquiry into policing and enforcement fines that may have disproportionately affected BME communities, urging the Home Secretary to provide practical steps to address racism and injustice.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Thanked the right hon. Lady for her questions and outlined steps to address policing issues, including fixed penalty notices and enforcement issues during the coronavirus crisis. Emphasised the need to diversify police forces, address cultural issues, improve training, and recruit more officers.
Expressed gratitude for the Home Secretary's detailed answers and urged for quicker responses due to time constraints.
Praised the peaceful nature of protests in north Wales and asked if violent perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Acknowledged the peaceful nature of protests and reiterated the commitment to swift justice for those who committed violence.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Condemned vandalism and violence but also expressed anger and frustration over racial inequality, discrimination, and racism. Asked if the Home Secretary understood these issues.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Responded to Florence Eshalomi by highlighting her personal experiences of racial prejudice and emphasised that addressing inequalities requires a responsible approach.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Supported peaceful protests and expressed the need for swift justice against those who threw missiles at police officers.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Agreed with Kevin Hollinrake, reiterating that people should be arrested, charged, and prosecuted for violent acts.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Condemned the minority of violent protesters but questioned the withholding of recommendations from a Public Health England report on racial disparities.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Clarified that the data and information are not being withheld, stating that the Government is committed to addressing issues across various departments.
Asked about Henry Dundas's role in delaying the abolition of slavery and questioned whether his statue should be memorialised given his actions.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Suggested that changes to cultural monuments, statues, and street names should go through democratic processes involving local authorities.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Expressed concern about upcoming Black Lives Matters protests in his constituency and asked for assurances that property and people will be defended and social distancing enforced.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Acknowledged the importance of social distancing during the pandemic and urged protest organisers to engage with police to ensure responsible behaviour.
Quoted Martin Luther King Jr. to emphasise that violence undermines the essential message of Black Lives Matter.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Agreed with Fay Jones, stating that there is no place for violence and it should not be tolerated in peaceful protests.
David Jones
Con
Clwyd West
Asked the Home Secretary to ensure that there is no repetition of the events of last weekend and emphasised that acts of thuggery are unacceptable.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Stated that she supports the right to protest but also the need for public protection during a health emergency. Emphasised the importance of addressing social inequalities and injustice in a constructive manner.
Suggested that Britain should take an opposite approach to President Trump's rhetoric, focusing on leadership, unity, and opposition to racism.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Called for the introduction of a Bill to address desecration of war memorials and supported by the Home Secretary.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Highlighted that none wanted to see violence against police officers but argued against increasing rhetoric or policing presence, instead advocating for addressing systemic injustice through social programmes.
Called on Members to ask short questions and for the Home Secretary to answer them briefly.
Robert Courts
Con
Oxford West and Abingdon
Asked if violence and vandalism have no place under the rule of law, supported by the Home Secretary.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Acknowledged Black Lives Matter protests but expressed concern over violent acts and asked for credit to be given to peaceful protesters.
Tom Hunt
Lab
Torbay
Condemned damage to the Winston Churchill monument on the 76th anniversary of D-day, asking whether the police have adequate powers to maintain order while respecting protest rights.
Margaret Ferrier
Ind
Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Asked for a suspension of export licences for equipment used in crackdowns on peaceful protesters in the US, answered by the Home Secretary about thorough risk assessments conducted for export applications.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
Expressed concern over acts of vandalism at monuments and agreed with the Home Secretary that such actions are counterproductive to equality causes.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Asked for a commitment to remove statues of slave traders from public places, answered by the Home Secretary about democratic processes and respect for local council decisions.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Condemned violent agitators over the weekend who put police officers at risk during a time of pandemic.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Asked for statues of British figures involved in the slave trade to be removed and emphasised that lives of black individuals lost due to contact with police are more important than any statue.
Andrew Griffith
Con
Arundel and South Downs
Requested assurance from the Home Secretary regarding bringing justice for those involved in attacks on police horses and officers during protests.
Zarah Sultana
Lab
Coventry South
Ms. Sultana questioned the Home Secretary about statues glorifying racist murderers like Edward Colston and asked whether black Britons should have to walk in their shadows.
Laura Trott
Con
Sevenoaks
Ms. Trott stated that the violence of a minority cannot overshadow peaceful protesters and urged for practical steps addressing racial inequality.
Mr. Chapman asked if violence can ever be part of a solution, advocating instead for educating citizens on their history to foster an equal society.
Alec Shelbrooke
Con
Wetherby and Easingwold
Mr. Shelbrooke requested the continuation of stop and search policies to ensure all lives matter.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Ms. Whittome argued that all lives cannot matter until black lives matter, highlighting racial inequality issues.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Ms. Onwurah condemned racism in society and urged the Home Secretary to propose concrete actions against it.
Ms. Davison thanked County Durham residents for maintaining peace during protests and requested that those who acted violently face legal consequences.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Ms. Blackman questioned the Home Secretary about structurally racist policies within the Home Office, including 'no recourse to public funds.'
Mrs. Allan encouraged support for police forces in tackling violence and disorderly behaviour.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Ms. Hobhouse asked the Home Secretary about the timing of removing statues like Edward Colston's.
Mr. Sunderland paid tribute to the professionalism and courage shown by police forces during violent protests.
Tracy Brabin
Lab
Rotherham
Ms. Brabin highlighted INQUEST's data on BAME deaths in custody where restraint was a feature and questioned the Government’s response to end such injustice.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Mr. Mayhew stressed the importance of listening to peaceful voices from BAME communities and celebrating our common humanity.
Mr. Grady questioned whether hostile immigration policies send a message that black lives matter to this Government.
Laura Farris
Con
Bury North
Ms. Farris requested the Home Secretary to consider publishing guidance on dealing with offensive statues, advocating for uniform principles.
Lilian Greenwood
Lab
Nottingham South
Mrs. Greenwood congratulated both Nottinghamshire police and protest organisers for ensuring a peaceful event in Nottingham, while also questioning the US authorities' reaction to peaceful protests.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Emphasised the importance of peaceful protests and swift justice for violent acts. Stressed the operational independence of police forces and their readiness to handle future riots with adequate resources. Also assured that rubber bullets are not authorised for use on mainland UK.
Asked if the Home Secretary agreed that the harshest sentences should be pushed for perpetrators of violence, undermining equality messages and spreading coronavirus.
Expressed concern about police holding back during protests and sought assurance that police have all necessary powers to handle future riots.
Asked the Home Secretary if she could assure that rubber bullets will not be used in UK and end their export to US.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Commended police for handling protests yesterday, suggested looking into underlying reasons for people protesting against austerity and other issues.
Agreed that there is never an excuse for thuggish and violent behaviour against police officers during protests.
Acknowledged peaceful protesters and criticised inconsistency in government messaging regarding public health measures based on race. Questioned if only black protesters were targeted.
Asked the Home Secretary about police warnings to organisers of illegal gatherings and how they should be handled legally.
Suggested giving police greater powers to control demonstrations where there is a serious risk to public health, order and property.
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