Liberal Democrat shadow home secretary, Chris Huhne, has written to the home secretary, Jacqui Smith, calling on her to overturn the ban on the anti-Bush march on Sunday. Referring to the recent 42 day detention without trial vote he says: “Just because the votes of these protesters cannot be bought does not mean that their voices should not be heard by those in 10 Downing Street”

It seems that more than one MP is now waking up to just how serious this governments attack on civil liberties and British traditions has become.

Dear Home Secretary,

I am writing to urgently request that you review the

decision of the Metropolitan Police to ban the anti-Bush

march taking place this Sunday 15 June from marching down

Whitehall. As you will be aware the Stop the War Coalition

have organised dozens of peaceful marches past Downing

Street, and I am deeply concerned that the request has been

denied.

In this country we have a long tradition of peaceful protest

and I would be shocked if British civil liberties were

curtailed at the request of a foreign government. I hope

that you can also confirm that the decision of the

Metropolitan Police was not made at the request of the US

authorities.

A static demonstration in Parliament Square is no

replacement for a protest march down Whitehall and I urge

you to work with the police and the protesters to ensure

they are able to make their voices heard outside Downing

Street. Just because the votes of these protesters cannot

be bought does not mean that their voices should not be

heard by those in 10 Downing Street.

Kind Regards,

Chris Huhne

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary