THE right to protest is “under threat” from proposed laws that could make it an offence to obstruct Parliament, campaigners warned today. 

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, announced in the Commons this week, aims to grant officers new powers against non-violent protests “that have a significant disruptive effect on the public or on access to Parliament.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel is believed to be seeking to make the obstruction of Parliament, courts and newspaper distribution by protesters unlawful, as well as to impose restrictions on where demontrations can be held.