Protest groups have condemned a long-awaited action report that recommends a review of undercover surveillance of activists and forcing protest organizers to pay for police.
The 292-page report by John Woodcock (now Lord Walney), entitled ‘Defending Democracy from Coercion’, includes a complete ban on face coverings at protests and a policy of imposing corporate restrictions on protesters who cause disruption. They are calling for curbs on a number of activities, including making it easier for people to claim compensation for damages.
Questions remain as to whether the report’s 41 recommendations will be enshrined in legislation, as Government and Labor officials have refused to commit to any of the report’s findings.
Human rights and environmental groups said the recommendations, which included a review of whether covert surveillance was used to police public order, would undermine democracy.
Greenpeace co-chair Areeba Hamid warned of the implications of Mr Woodcock’s proposals. “Applying the review’s recommendations would be a surefire way to undermine British democracy and move our country closer to a police state than ever before,” she said.
Human rights lawyer and author Shammi Chakrabarti said: “There is nothing new, enlightening or helpful about the project of bringing people together in polarized times.”
The widely heralded report’s findings also called for:
Protest buffer zones will be established around constituency offices of members of parliament and the chambers of local councils.
Legislative changes to enable police to consider the cumulative impact of protests on levels of anti-Semitic hate crimes.
Intimidation of candidates and campaigners to be specifically criminalized ahead of the next election.
The Prime Minister and Chief Justice will consider whether juries and judges will be more lenient towards protesters who support “progressive” causes such as the fight against climate change and anti-racism.
The government will strengthen the physical protection of private defense companies against demonstrators.
Intelligence agencies and relevant government departments need to be given more resources to identify online misinformation and work with technology companies to remove it.
As The Guardian revealed on Monday, the report did not name any specific organisations that should be banned.
However, the groups criticized within the text of the report argue that Mr Woodcock abused parliamentary privilege by announcing the report as a “motion for unopposed return” and that activists were unable to claim the report’s findings. He claimed that he was trying to prevent him from filing a lawsuit over the matter.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove welcomed the proposals on Tuesday. Speaking in north London, he said the report was “excellent” and its recommendations were “far-reaching and compelling”.
Huda Anmoli of the anti-arms trade group Palestine Action, which was widely discussed and named in the report, said Woodcock had “committed a libelous assault and used parliamentary privilege to cover it up”. “I’m doing it,” he accused.
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The report said Mr Woodcock was consulting with Israeli arms company Elbit, whose UK operations have been the subject of repeated direct action protests by Action for Palestine. However, some of the protesters named in the report said they were not given the right to respond.
Just Stop Oil, a climate change campaign group that Woodcock also detailed, pointed to his work as a paid lobbyist for fossil fuel companies. “Just Stop Oil does not accept the validity of this report,” the agency said.
Mr Woodcock told the Guardian he maintained objective standards and sought a wide range of opinions when writing the report.
In a blow to the control of demonstrators, the High Court ruled on Tuesday that former Home Secretary Suela Braverman had acted unlawfully in facilitating the criminalization of peaceful protests by police.
She was found to have acted in excess of her powers and failed to properly consult with protesters on regulations that could have increased prosecutions by a third.
Hundreds of protesters have been arrested since the government redefined the types of protests restricted by police, allowing them only if they cause “more than minor” disruption to people’s daily lives. Ta.
Among those charged was climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who was acquitted of all charges at a hearing in February.
Home Secretary James Cleverley said he would consider Mr Woodcock’s recommendations.
“The right to protest is an important part of our democracy, but there is no place for crime and harassment on our streets. We stand behind hate crimes and aggressive tactics by so-called protesters. I have seen many despicable acts.
“Lord Walney’s report raises important questions about the cumulative impact of destructive and extremist activity on our communities. Thank you to that team.”
