USE OF TERRORISM ACT 2000 IN RELATION TO PEACEFUL PROTESTS AT RAF FAIRFORD

Early day motion 1578, tabled 11 July 2003 by Lynne Jones (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes with concern reports of the policing of peaceful demonstrations at RAF Fairford and other military bases during the war on Iraq; notes that section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 was extensively used to deal with the peaceful protests and repeatedly to search demonstrators and that people travelling to demonstrations were prevented from reaching their destination and, in at least one case, detained in their coach for an uncomfortably long period of time; further notes the reassurance given by the former Home Secretary, the honourable member for Blackburn, during the Second Reading of the Terrorism Bill that 'The Bill is not intended to threaten in any way the right to demonstrate peacefully-nor will it do so.'; believes that the need to maintain public order and security must be balanced by the right to peaceful protest; and calls on the Home Secretary to investigate policing policies at Fairford and other bases.

Signatures by party: Labour 24, Liberal Democrat 9, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.