Euro-MP takes part in 'absolutely anything' demo

5.36.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 31st Aug 2006

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford is joining campaigning comedian Mark Thomas at the unique 'mass lone demo' in Parliament Square on Thursday evening August 31st to protest against - absolutely anything!

This series of individual demonstrations is taking place to highlight the absurdity as well as injustice of the ban on protests in and around the Houses of Parliament without prior police permission forced through by the present Labour government.

Sarah Ludford has obtained from Charing Cross police the requisite authorisation, which like other participants is for a "lone protest" licence. The police cannot refuse an application made at least six days in advance. She said:

"I'm sorry for the rather bewildered PC who has had to cope with a flood of paperwork, but his grumbles should be directed at number 10. This law preventing peaceful protest and freedom of speech is ridiculous. It's even more absurd that it is included in the Serious Organised Crime Act!"

The ban was drawn up last year in an unsuccessful attempt to evict Brian Haw from Parliament Square, where he had staged a protest for more than four years. Last year it resulted in the conviction of Maya Evans, 25, for reading out the names of 97 British soldiers who died in Iraq.