Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 April 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 April 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 May 2009 on behalf of the Home Office.

Demonstrations: Parliament Square

Question: (2) if she will commission a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the policing of the demonstration held in Parliament Square on 20 April 2009; what steps the police (a) have taken and (b) are planning to take to clear Parliament Square of demonstrators; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Government are committed to protecting and facilitating the right to peaceful protest. Police tactics and decisions on policing protests are matters for the independent judgment of chief officers of police. We have made it clear that there should be no unnecessary restrictions on the right to protest in the vicinity of Parliament. Following our consultation exercise last year on Managing Protest around Parliament, we announced our intention to repeal the relevant provisions in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. We intend to do that as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Secondary information