Cole-Hamilton raises civil liberties concerns over protest policing

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today written to the Chief Constable Jo Farrell to ask what approach the service will take to policing protests over the events in Gaza, noting that it will be challenging for Police Scotland to navigate the tension that exists here between free speech, policing by consent and proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act.

At last week’s protests in Parliament square in London 522 were arrested on suspicion of breaking terrorism laws - more than double the total such arrests in 2024.

According to the police, their average age was 54. Some 112 of them were over 70 years old.

Commenting on his letter, Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“Proscription must be applied carefully and proportionately, or we risk undermining public trust and civil liberties.

“The right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of a liberal democracy. It has clearly been incredibly uncomfortable for police officers to be asked to arrest peaceful demonstrators. This sets a dangerous precedent and risks a chilling impact on free speech and legitimate protest.

“It cannot be right that elderly members of groups like Palestine Action are placed in the same legal category as ISIS.

“Serious criminal offences such as vandalism of military equipment and RAF aircraft deserve accountability under the law, but these powers should be reserved for tackling those who endanger the UK's defence and security, rather than for heavy handedly removing protesting pensioners from public spaces.

“If these protests spread to Scotland, this has the potential to be a massive waste of time when officers and court officials would be better off tackling violent and antisocial offenders.

“The UK Government must urgently review the terrorism legislation to ensure it is proportionate and nuanced.”