‘Extreme’ protest groups face ban under proposal

Protest groups such as Just Stop Oil and Palestine Action could be banned in a similar way to terrorist organisations, under a proposal from the government’s adviser on political violence.

An upcoming report from Lord Walney, which BBC News has seen extracts of, will recommend a new category for proscribing “extreme protest groups”.

It defines these as those which routinely use criminal tactics to try to achieve their aims.

The sanctions could restrict a group’s ability to fundraise and its right to assembly in the UK.

The Home Office said ministers would consider the recommendations.

“Militant groups like Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil are using criminal tactics to create mayhem and hold the public and workers to ransom without fear of consequence,” Lord Walney said.

“Banning terror groups has made it harder for their activists to plan crimes – that approach should be extended to extreme protest groups too.”

Just Stop Oil said the government were the “dangerous radicals that are endangering all of us” through their climate policies.

Palestine Action claimed its actions were in line with most of the British public who want an arms embargo between the UK and Israel, and the proposals would not deter their campaign.

The new restriction orders “would be distinct from proscription on terrorism grounds”, the report will say.

But the mechanism could limit the activities of organisations that have a policy of using criminal offences or causing serious disruption to influence government or public debate.

If a group’s actions were persistent, and used to promote a political or ideological cause, that would count against them, according to the recommendation.

It will come as part of a review into tackling political violence by Lord Walney – the former Labour MP John Woodcock – which was commissioned three years ago, but is yet to be published.

A government source said ministers shared Lord Walney’s objectives and would consider implementing his recommendations once the review was published.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Extremism of any kind has no place in our society and we will not tolerate tactics that set out to intimidate, threaten or cause disruption to the law-abiding majority.

“In recent months, we have also witnessed a small number of protesters display violent and hateful behaviour, and the police have our full support in tackling extremism and hate crime.

“We are considering the report’s recommendations extremely carefully and will respond in due course.”