Green London Assembly Member calls for repeal of ‘oppressive’ Public Order Act after Coronation arrests
Green London Assembly Member Caroline Russell has today called for repeal of the Public Order Act 2023, following multiple arrests during ‘authoritarian’ policing of the Coronation.
The Act has been described by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as "deeply troubling legislation that is incompatible with the UK's international human rights obligations".[1]
It was passed days before the Coronation of King Charles III, allowing multiple arrests of anti-monarchy protesters and bystanders in a ‘chilling’ crackdown on protest rights, and leading to expressions of ‘regret’ from the Metropolitan Police Service.
Caroline Russell AM said:
“The oppressive, anti-democratic, Public Order Act, introduced by the Government is authoritarian in substance, and its application by the Met is authoritarian in style.
“At the coronation, we saw a chilling stifling of protest using this new, draconian law, which included arrests of people who had no intention of protesting at all.
“Republican campaigners were arrested for “going equipped to lock on” with nothing but luggage straps. This is exactly the overreach that was predicted.”
“This legislation and its application by the Metropolitan Police Service, has a chilling effect on the fundamental right to protest.
“It is shocking, that the Mayor, as a former human rights lawyer, will not take a stand against this authoritarian legislation. [2]
“I am disappointed that some Assembly colleagues failed to stand up against these draconian measures and, today, opposed my motion calling for repeal of this chilling legislation and defending Londoners' right to protest.”
Notes to editors
[2] Mayor position on the Public Order Act:
The Mayor was asked by Caroline Russell AM on 18th May 2023 whether he would lobby for repeal of the Public Order Act 2023. He responded:
“No. There are parts of the legislation that I support, particularly in relation to national infrastructure. I am concerned about section 2. I am concerned about the lock-on provisions, the definition of what lock-on equipment is. You are seeing the confusion in relation to the public not understanding what is deemed to be lock-on and not, particularly when it relates to going equipped to lock on. It is important for the police to undertake a proper debrief of what happened this weekend, an operational review. You will be aware the first time the ’23 legislation was used was at the Coronation and it is really important that lessons are learned because you will be aware some of those against whom there was no further action, the concern was they had equipment going equipped to lock on.”