BBC Presenter Chris Packham ‘clearly irresponsible’ for advocating protests outside MPs’ homes, No10 blasts
BBC presenter Chris Packham is “clearly irresponsible” for advocating protests outside MPs’ homes, Downing Street blasted today.
The wildlife campaigner was slated for saying the rights of people to rally at politicians’ family residences should be “preserved”.
While speaking about Just Stop Oil, his remarks came after Rishi Sunak warned that “mob rule was replacing democratic rule”.
The PM last week told police chiefs to regard protests outside MPs’ private homes as intimidatory and take action to break it up.
Asked about Mr Packham’s comments today, Mr Sunak’s spokesman said: “It is clearly irresponsible to encourage people to protest at the home addresses of MPs.
“Which is exactly why the Defending Democracy Policing Protocol agreed last week that any protests outside addresses of MPs will be considered intimidatory.”
Mr Sunak demanded tougher action after Tory backbencher Tobias Ellwood’s home was targeted by pro-Palestine mobs, as well as MPs’ officers.
But Mr Packam backed “radical” action so long as it remained “peaceful and non-violent”.
He told Times Radio: “I think that we need a portfolio of protests, basically, because we need a radical flank and Just Stop Oil are seen by many as that radical flank.
“They are the people who in some people’s minds go a step too far. And that might be, you know, standing outside an MP’s house. But the fact is that they are motivated, as I am, by a manifest fear for the health of our future.
“The science tells us we have to act. These people are frightened for my future, for your future, for the future of any children they might have. They need to draw attention to this issue.”
New government guidance makes clear that demos outside MPs’ homes should be broken up and that yobs must not be allowed to block political events.
Patrols will be stepped up in “flashpoint” areas in communities and new guidance will be issued to all officers stressing their powers to.
It also says cops should also engage with organisers of events held by MPs and candidates in the run-up to the election to bolster security.