Lib Dems - Law to tackle animal rights extremists welcome, but must not affect other groups

Monday, 31, Jan 2005 12:00

Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat member of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill Committee, today said that a law to tackle economic sabotage was necessary but stressed that this must not extend beyond animal rights extremists. He was commenting in response to the Government's plans to introduce an amendment to the bill, which would mean that animal rights activists could face five years in jail for targeting research centres.

He said: "Campaigns of intimidation against any individual are totally unacceptable, and a law to tackle the issue of economic sabotage is clearly required in the field of medical research involving animals. But the Liberal Democrats will not support this measure if it applies outside of the area of animal rights extremism where there is a clear problem and where existing laws have proved to be inadequate. Any new law should not cover journalism, trade union disputes, consumer boycott or lawful protest."