HC Deb 03 July 1985 vol 82 cc151-2W
Mr. Winnick

asked the Attorney-General, if he has yet received the report of the Director of Public Prosecutions on whether charges should be made against those who have disrupted speakers at Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park, with obscene or racial abuse.

The Attorney-General

I recently discussed with senior staff of the Director of Public Prosecutions a report submitted to him by the Metropolitan police concerning certain incidents in the vicinity of Speakers' Corner, Hyde Park. We concluded that the traditional gatherings at Speakers' Corner fall outside the ambit of the Public Meetings Act 1908. Although the evidence relating to the incidents which are the subject of that report was insufficient to justify proceedings under any other enactment, the evidence relating to any future incident would have to be considered on its own merits.

I have invited the Home Secretary to consider the problems raised by this case in the conext of his review of public order law.

Forward to