Rishi Sunak to crack down on 'hate marches' with five major loopholes to close pinpointed


The Sun reported that the clampdown will see changes to stop protesters from climbing on statues, bus stops and scaffolding.

Furthermore, marches will be easier to ban because the threshold at which police can ban marches will be lower.

New laws around the use of flares and fireworks will be tightened to try and reduce the number of attacks on police.

There will also be restrictions on the glorification of terrorism as officers say the current rules are allegedly too vague.

What’s more, ministers are also reportedly looking for ways to restrict the use of chants common at recent marches.

In reaction to the demonstrations, Home Secretary Suella Braverman has described them as “hate marches” and that this was the only way to describe them.

These new laws will require fresh legislation that will be added to the Crime Bill currently making its way through Parliament or it could be introduced as a separate law.

In a statement following yesterday’s protests, Mr Sunak slammed the “unacceptable scenes” seen during Armistice Day.

Mr Sunak also said he will meet with the Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in the coming days to discuss the events of Saturday.

In his statement, Mr Sunak said: “I condemn the violent, wholly unacceptable scenes we have seen today from the EDL and associated groups and Hamas sympathisers attending the National March for Palestine. The despicable actions of a minority of people undermine those who have chosen to express their views peacefully.

“Remembrance weekend is a time for us to come together as a nation and remember those who fought and died for our freedoms. What we have seen today does not defend the honour of our Armed Forces, but utterly disrespects them.

“That is true for EDL thugs attacking police officers and trespassing on the Cenotaph, and it is true for those singing antisemitic chants and brandishing pro-Hamas signs and clothing on today’s protest.

“The fear and intimidation the Jewish Community have experienced over the weekend is deplorable. All criminality must be met with the full and swift force of the law.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.