Mahmood says government will review protest law and amend Public Order Act powers
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What happened
On 1 November, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government would review protest law and change the Public Order Act so police can take account of the cumulative impact of repeated demonstrations, including powers to move or potentially ban protests.
Why it matters
The Home Office has shifted from criticism of recent demonstrations to a stated legal and operational mechanism. That opens a path to policy changes, new police guidance and possible legal or political confrontation if ministers seek faster restrictions than forces or civil-liberties groups support.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on 1 November that the government will review protest law, amend the Public Order Act and give police power to consider the cumulative effect of repeat demonstrations, including moving or potentially banning protests. The announcement followed pro-Palestine marches on 29 October and a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Greater Manchester the same day. The move creates a near-term policy and enforcement test involving the Home Office, police forces and protest organisers over how far public-order powers should extend.
Watch for
Home Office publication on or after 2026-11-02 setting out proposed amendments to the Public Order Act or revised protest-law review terms National Police Chiefs' Council statement on or after 2026-11-02 on cumulative-impact enforcement powers for repeat protests Metropolitan Police confirmation on or after 2026-11-02 of route changes, conditions, or refusal powers for any announced central London protest Civil liberties groups or protest organisers filing an announced pre-action protocol letter or judicial review challenge on or after 2026-11-02 against new protest restrictions
Sources
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