Defence: Demonstrations
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help prevent protests from disrupting the activities of defence firms.
Answered by Sarah Jones
The management of protest activity is an operational matter for the police, who are independent of government.
While the Government is committed to protecting the public and businesses from serious disruption, ministers cannot intervene in individual cases or direct police decisions, including those relating to protests near defence firms. This operational independence is a fundamental principle of policing in the UK.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →