§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for(a) permitting and (b) policing demonstrations in the neighbourhood of the Palace of Westminster; who is responsible for issuing such permission; and on what authority. [89830]
§ Kate HoeyPolice permission is not required for people to assemble and protest peacefully. Marches or processions must be notified to the police. Under the Public Order Act 1986, the police have powers to impose conditions if it is necessary to prevent serious public disorder, serious damage to property, or serious disruption to the life of the community or intimidation. The Commissioners of Police, in both the City and Metropolitan police areas may, with the consent of the Secretary of State, make an order prohibiting the holding of processions for a specified period within their police areas.
In most cases, organisers contact the police who will advise on how the protest should be held without causing obstruction, breach of the peace or contravening any other legislation. Inevitably, there are cases where the numbers attending a demonstration will cause some obstruction and arrangements are made which endeavour to strike the correct balance between the rights of the protesters and those people going about their day to day business.
The policing of demonstrations in the neighbourhood of the Palace of Westminster is undertaken by the Charing Cross Division of the Metropolitan police with due regard to various legislation including the Public Order Act 1986, the Highways Act 1835, Common Law and the Sessional Orders.
Under Section 52 of the Metropolitan Police Act 1839 and Sessional Orders, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police instructs all constables of the Metropolitan police to facilitate free passage to and from the Palace of Westminster on any day when Parliament is sitting. In carrying out this duty, no march will be authorised where there is any possibility of interference with Members travelling to or from the Houses of Parliament.