Rishi Sunak warns of “mob rule” as amnesty international criticizes overreaction

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has voiced concerns over what he perceives as a shift from democratic to mob rule in the UK, urging police chiefs for more decisive action against protests that target politicians and disrupt democratic processes. This comes in the wake of a £31m package announced by the Home Office aimed at enhancing the protection of MPs, a move prompted by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict which has sparked mass demonstrations across the UK.

The protests, largely peaceful, began following the attacks on Israel by Hamas on 7 October and the subsequent military operations by Israel in Gaza. The Prime Minister’s call for an “immediate response” to intimidatory protests, especially those at MPs’ homes, underscores the growing concern over the safety of elected officials and the preservation of public discourse.

Amnesty International, however, argues that the Prime Minister is exaggerating the situation, cautioning against undermining the fundamental rights of peaceful protest and assembly. The human rights organization emphasizes the importance of these rights in a free society and warns against the recent trend of criminalizing peaceful protest tactics in the UK.

The Prime Minister’s directive to the police highlights the urgent need to address intimidation, disruption, and subversion, with a specific focus on protests deemed intimidatory outside MPs’ homes and offices. The Home Office document reflects a broader concern for the safety of elected representatives, citing threats, disruptions to council meetings, and attempts to forcibly enter Parliament as indicative of a troubling trend towards undemocratic means of effecting change.

Groups involved in the demonstrations, like the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, have distanced themselves from protests outside MPs’ homes while defending the right to peaceful protest outside offices and council chambers. The Labour Party has indicated agreement with the proposals but criticizes the Prime Minister’s choice of language.

The call for a more robust police response is met with mixed reactions from the police community. Conservative Donna Jones, chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, acknowledges the police’s existing powers and their efforts to arrest protesters, signalling a need for a cessation of unlawful behaviour.

The concerns over MPs’ safety were amplified following incidents targeting politicians’ homes and the increasing normalization of threats as part of their job. Justice Minister Mike Freer points to a deeper issue, suggesting that merely increasing protection around MPs does not address the root causes of the emboldened behaviour towards politicians.

As the UK grapples with these issues, the debate continues over the balance between ensuring the safety of its politicians and maintaining the fundamental rights of its citizens to protest and express dissent.