Reform UK considers legal challenge to Gosport police restrictions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 19:03 · Archive

Hampshire Reform UK is considering judicial review of police restrictions imposed during October disorder in Gosport.

Hampshire Reform UK is considering a judicial review of police restrictions imposed during disorder in Gosport on 4 October. The party says some measures may have been too wide-ranging and remained in place longer than necessary. Reform UK leader George Madgwick said the party was reviewing the operation with legal advisers to decide whether to bring proceedings.

The restrictions included powers allowing police to direct people to a designated protest area, disperse individuals from parts of Gosport, and require face coverings to be removed in certain circumstances. They also covered parts of Portsmouth. Madgwick said Reform UK supported 'robust action against violence, criminal damage and obstruction' but questioned whether the restrictions were justified and proportionate. He wrote that he was concerned whether 'these extensive, pre-emptive restrictions were properly justified and whether less restrictive measures were considered'.

The letter argues that the area covered by the restrictions was particularly large and questions why parts of south-west Portsmouth were included. It also raises concerns about how long some measures remained in force after police said crowds had dispersed. Madgwick said he had received reports from residents who were asked for identification or questioned before being allowed to return to their homes, though he stressed he was not 'presenting each of these accounts as an officially established fact'.

How it is being reported

• Reform UK weighs legal action over "unnecessary" Gosport police restrictions during anti-migrant protestsReform UK said it supported “robust action against violence, criminal damage and obstruction” but questioned whether the restrictions were justified and proportionateThe News, Portsmouth · 13 Oct, 18:26
• Reform leader considering legal action over police restrictions at protestHampshire Reform UK is considering a legal challenge over police restrictions imposed during disorder in Gosport, claiming some measures may have been too wide-ranging and remained in place for longer than necessary.Southern Daily Echo · 13 Oct, 14:58

In this story: George Madgwick · Donna Jones · Alexis Boon · Hampshire Reform UK · Hampshire Police · Gosport · Portsmouth

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