This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50316561

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Extinction Rebellion: Group wins challenge to London police ban Extinction Rebellion: High Court rules London protest ban 'unlawful'
(32 minutes later)
Extinction Rebellion has won a High Court challenge against the Metropolitan Police over a London-wide ban on protests.Extinction Rebellion has won a High Court challenge against the Metropolitan Police over a London-wide ban on protests.
The police imposed a ban last month, prohibiting any assembly of more than two people linked to the protests dubbed the 'autumn uprising'. The police imposed a four-day ban last month, prohibiting two or more people from the group taking part in protests dubbed the 'autumn uprising'.
Lawyers for the group had argued that the police went beyond the powers of the Public Order Act. However, judges have ruled that the ban was "unlawful" and officers had no power to impose it.
The Met said the ban was the only way of tackling disruption caused by protests. Lawyers for the group described the police action as "hastily imposed".
They say the Met Police now faces claims for false imprisonment from "potentially hundreds" of protestors.
The Met had argued the ban was the only way of tackling disruption caused by protests.
During 10 days of protests beginning on 7 October, Extinction Rebellion activists called for urgent action by the government to tackle climate change.During 10 days of protests beginning on 7 October, Extinction Rebellion activists called for urgent action by the government to tackle climate change.
Protesters shut down areas around Parliament and the Bank of England, and targeted London City Airport.Protesters shut down areas around Parliament and the Bank of England, and targeted London City Airport.
Police had tried to restrict the protesters to Trafalgar Square, under Section 14 of the Public Order Act.Police had tried to restrict the protesters to Trafalgar Square, under Section 14 of the Public Order Act.
However, the ban was lifted four days later, with police saying that it was no longer necessary because the stretch of protests, dubbed the 'autumn uprising', had ended.However, the ban was lifted four days later, with police saying that it was no longer necessary because the stretch of protests, dubbed the 'autumn uprising', had ended.
Claimants bringing the legal challenge included the Green Party's Caroline Lucas and Baroness Jenny Jones, Labour MPs Clive Lewis and David Drew, and Mr Monbiot.
During the hearing, Phillippa Kaufmann QC, for Extinction Rebellion, told the court the move was "wholly uncertain, an abuse of power and irrational".During the hearing, Phillippa Kaufmann QC, for Extinction Rebellion, told the court the move was "wholly uncertain, an abuse of power and irrational".
'Not a public assembly'
Announcing their judgement on Wednesday, Lord Justice Dingemans and Mr Justice Chamberlain said the Met had no power to impose the ban.
Lord Justice Dingemans said: "Separate gatherings, separated both in time and by many miles, even if co-ordinated under the umbrella of one body, are not a public assembly within the meaning of... the Act.
"The XR autumn uprising intended to be held from October 14 to 19 was not therefore a public assembly... therefore the decision to impose the condition was unlawful because there was no power to impose it under... the Act."
However, the judges noted there are powers within that act which may be used lawfully to "control future protests which are deliberately designed to 'take police resources to breaking point"' - one of Extinction Rebellion's aims.
Responding to the ruling, Ms Lucas described it as "brilliant news".
Jules Carey, a solicitor representing protestors, said the ban was "hastily imposed" and "erratically applied".
He said: "The police have powers to impose conditions to manage protests but not to ban them.
"This judgement is a timely reminder to those in authority facing a climate of dissent - the right to protest is a long-standing fundamental right in a democratic society that should be guarded and not prohibited by overzealous policing."