Proposed law giving new powers to curb protests criticised by Manchester MPs

Afzal Khan and Andrew Gwynne are among Labour MPs publicly opposing the Police and Crime Bill.

Protestors at a demonstration against the Police and Crime Bill in London
Author: Ellie LinfordPublished 16th Mar 2021

A proposed Police and Crime Bill - which would give new powers to curb protests - is being criticised by MPs in Greater Manchester.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give police in England and Wales the power to impose conditions on non-violent protests judged to be too noisy and thereby causing "intimidation or harassment'' or "serious unease, alarm or distress'' to the public.

It's seen a massive backlash following the Reclaim the Streets demonstration in London at the weekend, which saw officers pinning one person to the ground.

The home secretary has ordered a review of what happened.

A vote will go ahead this evening, with Labour taking a stand against it.

The Opposition want to deny the Bill a second reading because it "rushes'' changes to protest law and "fails'' to take action to protect women.

Manchester Gorton MP Afzal Khan says he's received a number of emails from constituents urging him to vote against it.

Robert Buckland has insisted he does "not see what the fuss is about'' over controversial new powers to curb protests.

The Justice Secretary told MPs he has no second thoughts over the new measures contained in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, and accused Labour of seeking to create a distraction from its own difficulties.

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