Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the Government will seek to overrule devolved responsibilities over policing to maintain public order during protests.

Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society. It is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are free to gather together and to demonstrate their views provided that they do so within the law.

The right to protest does not extend to violent or threatening behaviour and the police have powers to deal with any such acts. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police. Policing is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and Her Majesty’s Government respects the devolution settlements.