The SNP is to join with Labour at Westminster to vote against the Police and Crime Bill in the Commons on Monday night following the Met Police handling of the London vigil for Sarah Everard.
Although the Scottish Nationalists do not vote on English-only legislation by convention Ian Blackford said the party’s 47 MPs will be whipped to vote against the second reading of the legislation.
Labour and SNP MPs had previously planned to abstain on the bill but are voting against following anger over heavy-handed police tactics that broke up the vigil.
Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy said Labour MPs would be told to oppose the “poorly thought-out measures” which hand more powers to police to crack down on protests.
He said: “The tragic death of Sarah Everard has instigated a national demand for action to tackle violence against women.
“This is no time to be rushing through poorly thought-out measures to impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to protest.”
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill would give powers to the police to impose conditions on protests which are “noisy” enough to cause “intimidation or serious unease” - or which have an “impact” on the local community.
It would also expand the “controlled area” around Westminster where some protest activities are banned and make it an offence to “intentionally or recklessly” commit an act which could cause “serious annoyance” - punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Although the provisions do not apply to Scotland SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said the party would vote against.
In a series of tweets, Blackford said: “The SNP will vote against the Tory Police Bill, which imposes disproportionate restrictions on our freedom of expression and right to protest. It is a rushed and poorly considered bill, which would damage the rights of people across the UK. It should be withdrawn immediately.”
He added: “I urge Boris Johnson to listen and scrap the bill as it stands. Instead of restricting people’s rights, the UK government must deliver meaningful action to tackle violence against women.”
Blackford also paid tribute to Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old marketing executive who disappeared as she walked home in Clapham on 3 March. Her body was found one week later in Kent woodland.
Serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her murder.
Blackford said: “The death of Sarah Everard is devastating. My thoughts are with her friends and family at this awful time. This must be a moment for real and meaningful change. We all have a responsibility to tackle the abuse, harassment, and violence that women face from abusive men every day.”
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