We need to talk about the impact of the newest coronavirus regulations on the right to free speech, peaceful assembly and protest.

This relates to major changes which quietly came into force just over a week ago. I did a thread about them here https://twitter.com/AdamWagner1/status/1299027444427567105 (THREAD)

The issue is pretty simple.

Until just over a week ago, if someone organised a protest which was otherwise lawful (e.g. didn't trespass on private property, use violence, incite hatred), worst that could happen under Coronavirus laws was a £100 fine for people participating* /2

* fine could rise to £3,200 if an individual breached the lockdown rules six times.

The reason you may get a fine (strictly a 'fixed penalty notice') is it remains illegal to gather in groups of more than 30 people UNLESS certain conditions are met. /3

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/684/regulation/5/made

So, if you're a charity, business, public authority or 'political body' you can organise gathering of over 30 people as long as you:
(a) Do a (decent) risk assessment
(b) take "all reasonable measures" to minimise spread of Covid-19.
Or there are other exceptions for work etc /4

On their own, these are very onerous requirements and will make political protest less likely I imagine - but you can make a case that in the circumstances they are reasonable.

BUT that all changed just over a week ago /5

Because a new law came into force just before last weekend which introduced a £10,000 mandatory fine for anyone who is found to be "holding" or "involved in the holding" (whatever *that* means) of a gathering which doesn't come within the exceptions. /6 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/907/regulation/2/made

And that could have a HUGE impact on freedom to assemble.

I have already been approached a number of times privately by charities/orgs which have realised that if they e.g. mess up a risk assessment/safety measures they could be on the end of a £10k fine or loads of them! /7

We have no way of knowing how many of theses mega fines are being given out as Extinction Rebellion protests are happening all over, but you can guarantee some people and orgs are being chilled out of protesting as £10,000 is a life-changing fine - which can't be appealed! /8

(you can refuse to pay the fine, which apparently is what Piers Corbyn is doing, but this is not an appeal, it means you are probably going to be prosecuted and have to defend yourself at the risk of a criminal conviction) /9

As per usual, the law which brought this in appeared out of nowhere, passed by flick of a @MattHancock's pen with no parliamentary vote or discussion. It's dangerous and illiberal, and we are all so caught up in next thing that it's almost impossible to process the last one /10

You can hear more on this in the new @BHumanPodcast with me and @davidallengreen https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-episode-19-5-41235896 /11

Also @Barristerblog did a great blog about it https://barristerblogger.com/2020/09/02/piers-corbyn-may-be-a-crank-but-his-treatment-should-worry-us-all/