Will the government ban Just Stop Oil and ‘extreme protest groups’?

Protest groups such as Just Stop Oil and Palestine Action could be banned in a similar way to terror groups under proposals being considered by the government.

Political violence adviser John Woodcock, whose title is Lord Walney, has recommended a new system to proscribe “extreme protest groups”, which would include disruptive climate demonstrators.

The Home Office has said ministers will consider the Labour peer’s recommendations, adding that “extremism of any kind has no place in our society”.

But critics believe the crackdown would be draconian and would jeopardise the fundamental right to protest, and that ministers should reject the proposals.

The Independent looks at what the new proposals would mean, and whether they should be introduced.

The powers recommended by Lord Walney would put “extreme protest groups” in a new tier, allowing them to be banned.

This would hamper their ability to raise funds and restrict the groups’ right to gather in the UK.

In an extract of his report seen by the BBC, Lord Walney said: “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.

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

Lord Walney was commissioned three years ago to investigate the extreme fringes of the hard left and far right in the UK.

The review was sparked by ministers’ concerns about a rise in what they considered to be unacceptable behaviour linked to political causes.

He has now included an additional review of pro-Palestine protests in the wake of the Hamas attacks in Israel on 7 October last year.

Palestine Action has targeted UK defence manufacturers that it claims have links to Israel.

Just Stop Oil reacted to the proposals with fury, accusing the government of being “the dangerous radicals that are endangering all of us”.

A spokesperson said: “This week, the government’s climate policies were declared unlawful for the second time; their response has been 31 new oil licences, as scientists warn we’re heading into the ‘biggest threat humanity has faced’.”

Palestine Action has said its actions are in line with British public opinion, with most backing the suspension of arms sales to Israel. The group added that the proposals would not deter its campaign.

A spokesperson described Lord Walney’s investigation as a “quest” and said that it “demonstrates his own motivations to protect the military interests” of Israel.

The Home Office has highlighted a rise in “violent and hateful behaviour” and promised to back the police in tackling extremism.

But critics believe the crackdown is draconian, and that putting protest groups in a similar class to terrorists, dubbed “proscription-light” by Lord Walney, undermines the right to protest.

In a statement, a 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.”