Ban on MPs’ engagement with protest groups ‘would undermine democracy’

The UK government’s adviser on political violence, John Woodcock, has reportedly told ministers to consider banning elected officials from engaging with groups that use disruptive tactics, including Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil.

However, a joint statement issued by Amnesty International UK, Liberty and Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland says any such move would be “profoundly anti-democratic” and set a “dangerous precedent”.

The statement says: “As the scale of its recent demonstrations calling for a ceasefire show, PSC is supported by a substantial body of public opinion in Britain. The activities of organisations like PSC are lawful, legitimate, and non-violent, and are essential elements of our democratic system.”

It continues: “Any suggestion that the government or political parties should ban all meetings or engagement with legal civil society organisations or sections of the electorate, is profoundly anti-democratic and sets a dangerous precedent.

“At a time when civil society and human rights defenders are under attack around the world, the British government should be upholding our core human rights, not seeking to remove them from those with whom it has political disagreements.

“The message these proposals send is that any campaigning in support of Palestinian rights is somehow illegitimate and even ‘extreme’.

“We call on the government to drop these dangerous measures and call on other political parties to oppose them.”