Bill that curtails ability to protest in England and Wales passes second reading

Labour changed stance to vote against following the police's actions at Saturday's vigil for Sarah Everard

A landmark government crime bill has passed its first parliamentary hurdle, even as some Conservative MPs served notice that they might subsequently support amendments to water down controversial restrictions against protests.

The police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, which groups together a range of changes to enforcement and sentencing in England and Wales, passed its second reading - the first chance MPs get to vote on a proposed law - by 359 votes to 263. An earlier vote saw an amendment tabled by the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, voted down by 225 votes for and 359 against.