Police seek tougher powers against Extinction Rebellion

Strengthening public order laws could be 'shocking assault on right to protest', warn civil rights lawyers

• Letter: Extinction Rebellion's right to protest must be respected

Government and police have held talks to strengthen public order laws to allow a tougher crackdown on future Extinction Rebellion (XR) climate demonstrations in what civil rights lawyers warn would be a "a shocking assault on the right to protest."

The move, which comes as XR's two-week "uprising" drew to a close on Friday, follows widespread criticism of the Metropolitan police after officers implemented a city wide ban on the protests earlier this week.