Sir Peter Bottomley on the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

 I have written to my MP about this Bill. You cannot be put in prison for doing that. Not yet. 

Sir Peter believes that Oscar Romero should be a saint. What is clear is that Oscar Romero would be in prison under the terms of this draconian legislation.

You can judge for yourself whether this is a reply to the issues raised.

Dear Derek,

 

Thank you for your recent email regarding the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.   We understand many have concerns over police powers in the wake of the arrests at the Sarah Everard vigil. I support the need for reasonable discussions over police powers to intervene at gatherings and protests that seriously contravene Covid safety restrictions.

 

The Government‘s first duty is to protect citizens and communities, keeping them safe so they can get on with their daily lives peacefully and without unnecessary interference. Ministers have stated that the measures in this Bill are directed to this.

 

Throughout the pandemic, police forces have been bound by legislation that limits large gatherings for any reason, subject to a few exceptions. Sadly, this has included most vigils and remembrance services.

 

It is disappointing that at the Sarah Everard vigil this situation escalated to the point where arrests were made. 

 

Conflicting information about the event means it is difficult for any of us to get a full understanding of the circumstances around the unrest.  

 

The article in the Times from the photographer who took one of the now iconic photos, Jack Hill, provides what I believe is a fair, even-handed analysis of events. In the article, Jack Hill explains that throughout the day, people passing by on their daily exercise were paying respects and laying flowers.

 

Then “As the afternoon turned to evening the solemn atmosphere changed. Different groups had arrived and one of the anti-lockdown/vaxxers tried to highjack the event by addressing the assembled crowd. It was not long before the police, who had maintained a respectful distance on the periphery, pushed their way into the centre of the bandstand in an attempt to shut it down.”

 

The unrest at the vigil has been highly publicised. Many across the political spectrum have provided views on appropriate ways to deal with large gatherings and political protests, both for situations where Covid-type measures are required to deal with the public health emergency, and in more normal times.

 

Many believe that legislative moves seeking to add further controls on the make-up and nature of protests could further impact our freedoms. The changes in this Bill relating to protests are not about restricting the right to peaceful protest.

 

They are to ensure the crucial balance between the fundamental right to peaceful protest and the rights of people to get on with their daily lives.

 

We have seen examples in the past of Right-wing groups or Extinction Rebellion protestors causing widespread damage and disruption across British cities.

 

The Government has stated that the additional powers in the Bill will allow the police safely to manage protests where they threaten public order and impact on people getting on with their own lives.  

 

Ministers state that the objective is to improve the powers required to balance the right to peaceful protest and the rights of people to maintain their day-to-day activities.

 

There is a plurality of views on this issue. Recent events have made the situation more charged. We can all welcome further discussions as the Bill is brought before House of Commons and the House of Lords through the different stages of the legislative process.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Sir Peter Bottomley MP for Worthing West Father of the House Email: BottomleyP@Parliament.uk    Tel: 0207 219 5060 / 0783132 3333”

 

 

Subject: Letter from your constituent Derek McMillan

Thursday 25 March 2021

Dear Peter Bottomley,

The new "Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill 2021" is designed,
in the words of Cressida Dick, "specifically to deal with protests
where people are not primarily violent or seriously disorderly." It is
a massive increase in the powers of the police to suppress freedom of
speech.

It is not just an attack on Black Lives Matter and Extinction
Rebellion. As it stands it would prohibit any legitimate protest by any
trade union. If anyone protests against the Bill, they will be on the
receiving end of draconian penalties.

Would Oscar Romero have found himself in prison under this bill?

All the best

Derek McMillan