A COALITION of more than 70 human rights and campaign groups has presented a petition to Downing Street demanding the government drop its bid to outlaw investment boycotts.

The Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, or anti-boycott Bill, is about to enter its committee stage in the Commons.

It aims to prevent publicly financed organisations such as councils, universities and public-sector pension funds from deciding how to spend, invest and trade ethically, in line with international law and human rights.