Offensive protest chants could be targeted as Keir Starmer drops hint

Offensive chanting could be targeted in a crackdown on protests as Keir Starmer hinted at further restrictions.

Earlier this week Shabana Mahmood outlined plans to give police forces new powers to stop protestors repeatedly holding demonstrations in the same site.

The clampdown came after almost 500 people were arrested at a pro-Palestinemarch in London over the weekend.

Protestors also ignored the PM's claim that holding demonstrations on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks was "un-British".

Speaking to reporters as he travelled to Mumbai, Mr Starmer said: "There's the cumulative impact of the protests which the Home Secretary has already looked at.

READ MORE: Major change to pro-Palestine protests as police to get new powers to clamp down

"I've asked the Home Secretary to look more broadly at what other powers are available, how they're being used, and whether they should be changed in any way.

"I think we need to go further than that in relation to some of the chants that are going on at some of these protests."

Pressed further, he added: "I mean obviously operational matters are very much a matter for the police.

"So there's only so much the government can do. But I do think we need to have a conversation with various police forces about the way in which these are being policed and what measures can be taken.

"That has to be part of the review that we carry into what powers do we have and how they're being exercised.

"And then the question of do any of these powers therefore need to be changed or enhanced? And that's the exercise we're going through.

"But we are talking at length to leaders of the Jewish community about this, as you would expect."

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