Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 110397, on Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review, if she will make it her policy to set terms of reference to independent reviews that require them to follow the Government’s non-engagement principles.
Answered by Sarah Jones
An independent review should provide objective, credible and evidence-based assessments of the subject matter which it has been asked to evaluate.
In line with the approach that has been taken by independent reviewers under successive governments, Chairs of independent reviews should determine which groups and organisations they wish to engage with in order to fulfil the terms of reference for their review. Direction from government as to appropriate engagement could impact the credibility and independence of a review.
Once a review concludes, it is for Government Ministers to carefully consider its findings and recommendations before determining whether to accept them.
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