Oral Answers to Questions

Will Stone Excerpts

Monday 23rd March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Jones]

I join the hon. Gentleman in condemning the attack.

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right that our British values of diversity, tolerance and freedom of religious belief are one of our country’s greatest strengths, and we all have a role to play in ensuring that we uphold them everywhere we can.

[Will Stone (Swindon North) (Lab)]

4. What her timetable is for publishing the independent review of public order and hate crime legislation.

[The Minister for Policing and Crime (Sarah Jones)]

My hon. Friend asks for the timetable on the independent review of public order and hate crime legislation. He will know that this has been ongoing for some time—since the Heaton Park attack, which happened in October 2025 —and we are hoping to receive the final report by the end of May.

[Will Stone]

I thank the Minister for her response. This review is incredibly important in protecting people’s rights to protest and ensuring that our communities are kept safe. Will she give me her word that she will do everything within her power to ensure that the review comes out by the end of May?

[Sarah Jones]

I can tell my hon. Friend that although Lord Macdonald is working independently he has assured us that the review will come before the end of May, and we will respond before the summer recess. It is very important.