Police Officers (Duties)

HC Deb 24 October 1979 vol 972 cc174-5W

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual police officer has any right of conscientious objection to duties which require him to protect, defend or supervise the activities of avowedly racist bodies or groups, either local or from overseas.

Mr. Whitelaw

The police are not required to protect avowedly racist bodies. Their duty is to preserve order and prevent crime.