Police questioned on use of terror laws
The Metropolitan Police have been asked to explain their use of anti-terror laws on arms fair protestors.
Home Secretary David Blunkett has demanded a report on why police have arrested several protestors under terror legislation rather than public order laws. The protestors are campaigning against an arms fair in east London.
Mr Blunkett has refused to offer an opinion on the situation, stating that he would wait for an explanation. However, civil liberties groups that originally opposed the terrorist laws have pointed to their use in this case as the sort of abuse they feared was inevitable.
The right to use certain measures to defend the UK against terrorist attacks can only be used with specific permission, although this has been granted in the run up to the second anniversary of the terror attacks on New York and Washington.
The civil rights group, Liberty, is to seek a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police’s decision to invoke anti-terrorism laws against protestors.
Liberty solicitor Mona Arshi commented, ‘The Home Secretary gave a clear undertaking to the House of Commons that section 44 notices would only be used where there is good reason to suspect terrorist activity.’
‘The people in docklands are legitimate demonstrators and it is quite shocking they are being treated as potential terrorists. We will do everything in our power to protect the right of every citizen to peacefully protest.’
The Metropolitan Police have made dozens of arrests around the arms fair, with protestors throwing paint and blocking roads and rail lines. However, the force denied that anti terrorist powers had been misused, and has now released two Germans arrested under the rules.
The trade fair is an exhibition of military weaponry and technology with many of the world’s arms buyers and sellers attending. Although weapons are not being sold at the event, those attending are likely to do deals at a later date based on connections made there.
Liberty has also instructed its lawyers to represent anyone who is arrested at the protests.
