Ludford protests at curbs on freedom

4.22.30pm GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

Sarah protesting outside parliament with Baroness Sue Miller and Baroness Sally Hamwee AM

Sarah Ludford and fellow Liberal Democrat peers protested outside Parliament on Friday - against laws curbing their right to do so. Sarah demonstrated in the morning before entering Parliament to speak during the debate on Baroness Sue Miller's Public Demonstrations (Repeals) Bill, which would repeal the legislation that makes it illegal to protest within 1km of Parliament, without first getting permission from the police.

The Bill gained support from Conservative, Labour and crossbench peers, as well as Liberal Democrats, with only the minister speaking against. It passed its second reading and will now be debated in committee.

You can read Sarah's intervention during the debate by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/ytkj65