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Fury after former Labour MP threatens ‘hundreds of years of the right to protest’
John Woodcock blasted after calling for protest organisers to pay cost of policing their demonstrations
Protesters block Westminster Bridge during a Free Palestine Coalition demonstration in central London, January 6, 2024

PALESTINE campaigners responded with fury today after peer and former Labour MP John Woodcock said protest organisers should foot the bill for policing their demonstrations.

As thousands once again thronged the streets of towns and cities across Britain demanding an end to the slaughter in Gaza, Mr Woodcock, now known as Lord Walney, the government's independent adviser on “political violence and disruption,” made the call for police costs to be dumped on organisers in a review carried out for the Home Office.

He specifically targeted protests by Palestine supporters who have campaigned tirelessly against Israel’s murderous actions for three months.

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