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Public Order Act 2023

Asked by John McDonnellLabourHome OfficeTabled Answered 28 April 2025UIN 44383

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will hold discussions with the Metropolitan Police on taking steps to ensure that its enforcement of Public Order Act 2023 accords with the (a) rule of law and (b) Human Rights Act 1998.

Answered by Dame Diana Johnson

The police are operationally independent of the government. The police make decisions about how to respond to specific incidents based on their professional judgement, the circumstances at hand, and all applicable laws, and the Home Office does not direct them on how to make those operational decisions.

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