Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police about the csae for the police to intervene to enforce social distancing during mass demonstrations (1) outside the US Embassy in London, and (2) in Hyde Park.

We strongly support the right to protest peacefully, but this pandemic has led to many of our individual freedoms being curtailed because everyone has a role to play in helping to control the virus following the rules. This is how we can continue to save lives so we can recover.

Under the current regulations, gatherings of more than six people from different households are not permitted. We are in close contact with police to ensure they are prepared to respond to any public disorder and have appropriate policing plans in place. How they use these powers is an operational matter for the police, who are independent of Government.

In London, the Metropolitan Police continues to monitor the situation and is aware of a number of protests over the next week. The management of public order is an operational matter for the police, who routinely have plans in place to ensure they are prepared to respond to any public disorder.

The Police have adopted an effective approach of the 4Es; engaging, explaining and encouraging compliance before moving to enforcement options.?The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing have issued guidance on how they will enforce the regulation. This can be found at https://www.college.police.uk/News/College-news/Pages/Health-Protection-Guidelines.aspx.