Arrest of journalists at protests

This House notes with alarm the arrest and detention of the LBC journalist, Charlotte Lynch, on the suspicion of causing conspiracy to commit public nuisance during her coverage of a Just Stop Oil Protest, despite showing police officers a legitimate press accreditation; notes that she was detained for a total of five hours without being questioned and was searched twice in this time; reaffirms that journalists should have the right to cover protests without fear of arrest or detention from the police, and that this is a vital part of living in a free, transparent, accountable and democratic society; believes this arrest should be viewed in the context of increasing powers to restrict protest; believes this has created a culture in which protest is seen as illegitimate, and those who demonstrate or who are even loosely connected to a demonstration in whatever capacity, are regarded as suspicious; urges the Government to protect the freedom of journalists to report on events without fear of arrest or detention, and to investigate the circumstances of Lynch’s arrest to ensure similar does not happen again.