Enough is enough: New law expected on protests after Nick Ferrari campaign

9 December 2020, 22:49

Gove: It is important police have the powers they need

EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

In the wake of Nick Ferrari's Enough is Enough campaign it is now reported the Government plans to change laws around protests.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Home Secretary Priti Patel is set to draw up new laws to curb protests which threaten democracy, including blocking Parliament, newspaper distribution, and judicial hearings.

The Home Secretary is seeking to make it illegal for protesters to obstruct Parliament, the courts, and the distribution of newspapers or broadcast media in a way that prevents them exercising their democratic duties, according to the newspaper.

It comes after Nick Ferrari's Enough is Enough campaign called on the government to give officers greater powers so they can do their job more effectively.

LBC's Political Editor Theo Usherwood said it was "another Nick Ferrari campaign which looks set for a change in the law."

Theo revealed after speaking to sources close the Home Secretary that the Government proposed to introduce legislation early next year.

This would give the police powers to break up protests which target infrastructure and businesses.

Read more: James O'Brien caller: Remainers are 'much more adjusted' to Brexit than Leavers

Read more: Brexit-supporting Ineos boss to build new 4x4s in France instead of Wales

Nick Ferrari's Enough Is Enough campaign

When asked about the proposed powers, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove told LBC it is "important the police get the powers they need" before adding "there is no better defender of our police and law and order than Priti Patel."

Currently, the Public Order Act gives the power to prohibit protest marches which cause serious public disorder - but not any other form of protest. Nick is starting his campaign to amend that to include the tactics used by groups like XR.

“It is not about banning protests. It is ensuring that people can protest in a free and fair way without stopping people from going about their lives or blocking democratic functions from happening,” a Government source told the newspaper.

“Look at Extinction Rebellion where they shut down the whole of the city or prevented newspapers from publishing. People would not say that’s a lawful protest.”

Read more: No10 praises William and Kate's 'morale boost' tour despite backlash in Scotland and Wales

Read more: Sturgeon: Royals were warned Edinburgh visit could breach cross-border covid travel ban

Tory MP backs Nick Ferrari's Enough Is Enough campaign in Parliament

Speaking to LBC earlier in the year, Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick revealed the strain put on police from large scale protests such as Extinction Rebellion and said more needed to be done, saying: "I think there should be a greater deterrent, absolutely, and there should be a way in which we can stop people simply bringing our city to a halt and causing such serious disruption."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Nick Ferrari takes to the streets of the US to ask Americans: 'Can you identify these British politicians?'

Why did Trump win and why did Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters

Why did Trump win and Harris lose? Nick Ferrari asks American voters in the wake of US election results

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said she strongly disagrees with a tweet that a backbench MP appeared to have reposted saying Kemi Badenoch represents "white supremacy in blackface".

Cooper condemns 'appalling' tweet shared by Dawn Butler labelling Kemi Badenoch 'white supremacy in blackface'

Exclusive
Cumberland County: Where the US election could be won or lost

Nick Ferrari travels to America for the US Election: Watch the best bits here

Exclusive
The Chancellor was speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Chancellor ‘doesn’t know’ salary of new chairman tasked with ensuring government ‘value for money'

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust in the criminal justice system', says Jenrick

Transparency over Southport stabbings key to avoiding 'deep public mistrust' in criminal justice system, says Jenrick

Exclusive
The government has introduced its football governance bill.

'We're on the same side': Minister denies feud with Premier League over Football Governance Bill

Exclusive
Protest sign reading Danger water pollution, this water is polluted with raw sewage. The responsible party is Thames Water. River Wey, Guildford, UK

Government warns demand for water could outstrip supply as they launch review into 'broken' sector

Nick Ferrari.

'He'll look over his shoulder for the rest of his life': Concern for Martyn Blake's privacy long overdue

Exclusive
'No one gutsy enough to address this': Mylene Klass calls on government to introduce paid miscarriage leave.

Government not 'gutsy' enough to implement paid miscarriage leave claims Myleene Klass

Exclusive
David Cameron speaks to LBC

David Cameron calls for UK to sanction two Israeli ministers as change on arms embargo 'didn't satisfy anybody'

'I wouldn't do it again': Jenrick suggests regret for painting over murals at children’s asylum centre.

'I wouldn't do it again': Robert Jenrick says he regrets ordering workers to paint over murals at children’s asylum centre

Exclusive
Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

Where did all the fish go? Feargal Sharkey uncovers dangerous blue-green algae plaguing River Wye

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' says defence secretary noting forces already play 'important' role in preventing escalation

UK troops in Cyprus 'ready to act' with forces playing an 'important' role in preventing escalation

Exclusive
LBC has uncovered levels of E Coli in Britain’s rivers over fifty times higher than levels recommended by the Environment Agency, in the latest edition of Feargal on Friday.

Feargal Sharkey exposes dangerous levels of E. coli in British rivers