Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes | Protest
Activists protesting outside MPs’ homes in England and Wales could be jailed for up to six months under a new law aimed at tackling harassment of politicians following growing complaints of intimidation.
The legislation would criminalize protests outside the homes of MPs, colleagues and councillors, as well as others who hold public office, and is likely to lead to further criticism that the government is restricting the right to protest.
The government will amend the crime and police law on Tuesday to formally ban protests and impose criminal sanctions.
Home Office sources described such protests as “toxic behavior in UK politics” and said the change would make it a criminal offense to protest outside the home of someone holding public office where the intention is to influence them over their role or an aspect of their private life.
A survey by House of Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle found that almost all MPs (96%) had experienced at least one incident of harassment or intimidation.
Just Stop Oil, whose activists sang climate crisis-inspired Christmas carols outside Keir Starmer’s home, has previously argued for the need to target MPs directly. He said it was a crucial tool for influencing policy, although the group has since changed its tactics to stop high-profile demonstrations.
Security minister Dan Jarvis said the level of abuse faced by politicians was “truly shocking, it is a threat to our democracy”. People should be able to participate in our policy without fearing for their or their family’s safety.
“When good people choose not to put themselves forward, communities lose out and the country becomes poorer for it.”
Jarvis said the measure was “a serious but necessary and proportionate step”. Targeting public officials in their homes crosses the line; “This is not protest but intimidation and we are putting an end to it.”
The change was backed by the Jo Cox Foundation, set up in the name of the slain Labor MP who was attacked by a far-right terrorist outside his constituency surgery.
“Protest and robust debate are important to our democracy, and there are many ways people can make their voices heard without crossing the line into intimidation in someone’s home,” the organization said.
While Starmer was leader of the opposition, it was understood by Youth Demand that he was angry about the Gaza protests outside his home in North London. The group placed children’s shoes on his doorstep as they demanded Labor become more opposed to arms sales to Israel.
The three men were charged under section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, which already covers harassment at a home address. Protesters were also arrested for targeting Rishi Sunak’s constituency.
Home Office sources said the change would expand the scope of police powers to cover a wider range of behavior and provide clarity for officers.
Some MPs have previously complained about police taking a more lax approach to protests outside family homes, including when children are present. Tobias Ellwood, the former chairman of the defense select committee, was targeted by dozens of pro-Gaza protesters at his home in Bournemouth for being complicit in genocide.
Former Conservative MP Mike Freer said he resigned as an MP last year after his constituency office was repeatedly targeted, including in an arson attack.
Labor MP Stella Creasy also condemned the targeting of MPs in their homes by anti-abortion protesters in her Walthamstow constituency.
Youth Demand recently staged a protest with body bags outside the home of David Lammy, where he is foreign minister. They said the government “allowed Israel to mass murder children.”
The amendment excludes official residences; hence protests outside Downing Street or charity and charity homes of the prime minister or other ministers such as Checkers or Dorneywood will be permitted.
