Member

I turn briefly to the amendment of the noble Baroness, Lady Blower. In my practical experience, it is vital that the law supports constructive negotiations between the police and demonstration organisers about the route of and arrangements for a march. I absolutely agree that they must be sensitive to and take proper account of community concerns, but, again, that would become much harder if vague terms such as “in the vicinity” are enshrined in law. As we know, there are literally thousands of places of worship in our capital city. A broad interpretation of that term would make it nigh impossible to hold a march through central London.