Former Scottish secretary Alistair Carmichael has urged the UK Government to scrutinise the policing tactics which led to the arrest of three protesters during the Chinese president’s state visit.
The northern isles MP and Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman claimed the approach adopted amounted to a “chilling effect on freedom of speech”.
Among those arrested by Metropolitan Police officers was democracy activist and Tiananmen Square survivor Dr Shao Jiang who wielded two A4 placards as Xi Jinping’s motorcade approached.
Two Tibetan women were also arrested in London after they attempted to wave the Tibetan flag at the passing premier.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Carmichael said the government had a duty to interrogate those responsible for the policy behind these actions.
He added afterwards: “The right to protest peacefully is an intrinsically British value that underpins our democracy.
“I welcome the Metropolitan Police’s review into these arrests, but I call on the government to examine the need for the policies that led to charges being brought.
“The Home Office is ultimately responsible for this policy, and I hope they will now consider the effect it may have on people’s freedom of speech.”
Policing Minister Mike Penning said he could not comment on the arrests because investigations were ongoing.
He added: “Ultimately, what took place was still the result of operational decisions taken on the day, and of course those decisions will be reviewed.
“Of course, we must always learn from how policing is done, and I am sure that is exactly what we will do.”