Written question asked by Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative) on Monday, 1 December 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. It was answered by Sarah Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 4 December 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Demonstrations: Whitehall

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the notice period given to organisers of the farming protest on 26 November 2025 of the cancellation of that protest.

Answer

The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of our democracy and will not be curtailed by this Government. However, these rights are not absolute and must be balanced with the rights and freedoms of others.

Section 12 of the Public Order Act 1986 allows the police to impose conditions on a protest as appears necessary to prevent serious public disorder, serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community. Any conditions that are considered necessary by a senior police officer can be placed on the protest including the location, route and date of the protest or prohibiting individuals entering any public place specified. There is no timeframe specified in the legislation for notifying the organisers of any conditions imposed.

The management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police and forces work with organisers to plan protests and assess risks and manage safety. It is not for Government to direct the police in how they should manage protest activity.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 95684
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Demonstrations Farmers Whitehall
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Demonstrations: Whitehall

Secondary information

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