Are protest groups such as Just Stop Oil facing a ban?

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.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

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.

What would the new powers do?

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.