Tories accused of using ‘mob rule’ claims to justify restricting protests

Labour among those criticising Sunak, Braverman and others for exaggerating threats to democracy from peaceful gatherings

The Conservatives have been accused of exaggerated rhetoric to justify a crackdown on protest rights, amid a pushback by civil liberties groups, which accused Rishi Sunak of exaggerating the threat of “mob rule”.

MPs have recently shared details of their own experiences of facing death threats and abuse, and a £31m package to improve their safety has been unveiled by a Home Office minister, who described pro-Palestinian protesters as “thugs”.