Mayor rejects calls for repeal of authoritarian protest law

Mayor of London and former human rights lawyer, Sadiq Khan today refused to call on government to repeal the authoritarian Public Order Act – legislation which has been described by Amnesty UK as ‘deeply draconian’.[1]

When questioned by Caroline Russell today to take a stand against the controversial Public Order Act, the Mayor stated ‘concerns’ but refused to lobby to repeal the legislation that allowed for the arrest of scores of peaceful protestors    during the King’s coronation event. [2]

The Mayor defended the Public Order Act by responding: “No, there are parts of the legislation that I support, particularly in relation to national infrastructure.” [3]

Green London Assembly member Caroline Russell says:

“At the coronation we saw a chilling stifling of protest using this new law and it is shocking that the Mayor, who claims he fully supports the human right to protest,  will not take a stronger stand against this authoritarian legislation.

“These new and broader powers risk fuelling disproportionality and subjecting Londoners to being criminalised for peacefully expressing their views or even being arrested with no intention of joining a protest.

“The Baroness Casey Review found Met Police culture to be disproportionate, racist, sexist and homophobic   – handing extra responsibility to the Met at a time when trust and confidence has hit rock bottom will have worrying consequences, as many human rights organisations have warned.”

Caroline also asked the Mayor about the Westminster City Council Night Stars volunteers, who were arrested on the night before the Coronation despite their organisation working in partnership with the Met Police.

Suzie Melvin, one of the volunteers, left MPs in the Home Affairs Select Committee “speechless” yesterday with the claim that the officer who arrested her said they were specifically looking for Night Stars volunteers. This contradicts a letter from the Commissioner to the Mayor which claims officers could not confirm knowledge of the organisation following the arrest. [4]