Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she intends to publish guidance for (a) the Police and (b) the public on protests outside life science facilities using animals in research.

The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society. It is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are free to gather and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law.

There is no statutory requirement for the Home Office to produce guidance for this instrument. However, the Home Office will work with the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing as the regulations are implemented to ensure forces understand their operational responsibilities.