Member

In discussing these measures, the noble Lords, Lord Strasburger and Lord Marks, and my noble friend Lady O’Grady said it would be impossible in an area such as central London that has lots of places of worship, principally churches, and this amounts to a blanket ban on all protests. The places of worship measure is not a blanket ban. Police will consider the intimidatory impact on those wishing to worship. It is absolutely about access and the right times for those wishing to worship and the context of the communities concerned; it is not just simply that there is a place of worship so therefore a protest cannot go past it ever. As I have said, police are well versed in making appropriate conditions and there will be further guidance on this for them. I find myself in agreement, I am pleased to see, with the noble Lord, Lord Leigh of Hurley, on these matters.