Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes

A new law in England and Wales will allow activists to be jailed for up to six months for protesting outside the homes of MPs, peers, and councillors. The government is amending the crime and policing bill to criminalize such protests, citing a surge in harassment and intimidation complaints against politicians. Home Office sources described these protests as "toxic behavior" and stated the amendment aims to create a criminal offense for actions intended to influence public office holders in their roles or private lives. The government argues that this measure is necessary to protect politicians and their families, preventing abuse that could deter individuals from public service. Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized that targeting public office holders at their homes constitutes intimidation rather than protest and threatens democracy. The Jo Cox Foundation supports the change, believing it balances the right to protest with the need to prevent harassment at private residences. The proposed law follows incidents where politicians' homes have been targeted. For instance, Just Stop Oil activists protested outside Keir Starmer's home, and protesters were arrested for targeting Rishi Su... download the app to read more