Westminster war protester wins right to stay
Guardian:Anti-war protester Brian Haw today won his high court battle against new laws threatening to end his four-year, 24-hour vigil outside parliament. The court ruled that legislation being brought in to control demonstrations around the Houses of Parliament did not apply to 56-year-old Mr Haw.
The new rules state that, from August 1, anyone wanting to demonstrate in the area must have authorisation from the police "when the demonstration starts".
Lawyers for Mr Haw pointed out that his demonstration had actually "started" four years ago and therefore he did not have to apply for authorisation.
Allowing his application for judicial review, Lady Justice Smith, sitting with Mr Justice McCombe and Mr Justice Simon, said the new law did not catch Mr Haw because of a drafting error.
She said: "If parliament wishes to criminalise any particular activity, it must do so in clear terms. "If it wishes to do so, parliament can amend this act." Read more
The new rules state that, from August 1, anyone wanting to demonstrate in the area must have authorisation from the police "when the demonstration starts".
Lawyers for Mr Haw pointed out that his demonstration had actually "started" four years ago and therefore he did not have to apply for authorisation.
Allowing his application for judicial review, Lady Justice Smith, sitting with Mr Justice McCombe and Mr Justice Simon, said the new law did not catch Mr Haw because of a drafting error.
She said: "If parliament wishes to criminalise any particular activity, it must do so in clear terms. "If it wishes to do so, parliament can amend this act." Read more
posted by exoplanet at 11:57 AM
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