The Home Secretary has announced an independent review of public order and hate crime legislation.

The announcement follows the terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester last month which, as the Government press release puts it, raised concerns “around community tensions and the impact of disruptive and intimidating protests and hate crime on the cohesion and safety of society”.

The review – to be led by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven KC – will examine the effectiveness and proportionality of existing laws concerning protests and hate crime laws, as well as the police powers to enforce them. It will also consider whether the balance is appropriately struck between preventing disorder and keeping people safe on the one hand, and protecting free speech and peaceful protest on the other.

Commenting on the announcement of the review, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said, “the terrorist attack in Manchester on 2 October shocked the nation and showed how hatred and division can fuel violence. It happened at a time of growing concern about protests and hate crime in this country. Our laws must protect the public, while upholding the right to protest and free speech. That is why we have asked Lord Macdonald to lead this review. His experience will ensure it is thorough and independent. Lawful protest and free speech are fundamental rights, but we cannot allow them to be abused to spread hate or cause disorder. The law must be fit for purpose and consistently applied”.

The terms of reference will be published shortly, and the review is expected to conclude by February 2026. To read more, click here.