Police chiefs have been warned about the rise of “mob rule” replacing democratic rule by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The PM has called for more forceful police responses to protect politicians and democratic processes, including quicker intervention in the event of intimidatory protests outside MPs’ homes. Amnesty International challenged the PM’s claims, calling them an exaggeration.
Sunak’s address on this issue came after the £31m package that was announced by the Home Office to protect MPs in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mass and peaceful demonstrations have been taking place in the UK since the conflict began on 7 October. Police chiefs have been brought to Downing Street and urged to use their existing powers urgently to crack down on intimidation, disruption, and subversion.
The public wants to maintain their confidence in the police and their faith in the democratic system. The PM believes that violent and intimidatory behavior, intended to stop elected representatives from doing their job, must be faced and punished. Protests may be considered intimidatory and receive an immediate response from the police under new Home Office guidelines. Some groups behind the demonstrations have defended their right to stage peaceful protests outside MPs’ offices and council chambers, but not outside their homes.
Several Conservative MPs have reported threats to their homes, and the Speaker of the House has also voiced concerns for politicians’ safety last week. However, justice minister Mike Freer, who is standing down in the next election due to safety fears, stated that the additional funds would not address the underlying cause of why people feel empowered to target MPs. Amnesty International’s Law and Human Rights Director, Tom Southerden, warned that essential rights were being undermined. He said,” Talk of ‘mob rule’ exaggerates the issue and risks delegitimising the rights of peaceful protests.
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