Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation

Monday 23 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial timetable for receiving the final report from Lord Macdonald's independent review is expected by the end of May 2026.
  • Lord Macdonald assured the government that the review will be completed by the end of May 2026.
  • The government is willing to learn and apply lessons from other countries regarding public order and hate crime legislation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Crime & Law Enforcement Parliamentary Procedure
Context

Following the Heaton Park attack in October 2025, there has been an ongoing independent review which is crucial for protecting rights to protest while ensuring community safety.

Question

What her timetable is for publishing the independent review of public order and hate crime legislation?

Answer from Sarah Jones

The timetable for receiving the final report from Lord Macdonald's independent review is expected by the end of May, with a response before the summer recess.

Answered
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Q2 Will Stone Lab Swindon North
Community Security Democracy & Elections
Context

The Heaton Park attack in October 2025 prompted an ongoing independent review, which is crucial for safeguarding rights to protest and ensuring community safety.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response. This review is incredibly important in protecting people's rights to protest and ensuring that our communities are kept safe. Will she give me her word that she will do everything within her power to ensure that the review comes out by the end of May?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Lord Macdonald is working independently and has assured us that the review will be completed by the end of May, with a government response before the summer recess.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

A deputation to Kurdistan highlighted effective practices in public order and hate crime legislation, raising potential for UK adaptation of such values.

Question

I led a deputation to Kurdistan about five weeks ago, and was impressed by what the Government were doing there in relation to public order and hate crime legislation. There are many things in Kurdistan that we in the United Kingdom could take on board and have as our core values. Will she do that for me?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We are always willing to learn lessons from countries where good things are happening and apply them here.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to review and adopt practices from Kurdistan

How: We Are Always Willing To Learn

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