Wildlife groups urge MPs to back protest amendments to crime bill

Bee and butterfly groups are among those asking MPs to defend freedoms' essential to protecting environment

Bumblebee and butterfly conservationists are among dozens of environmental groups calling on MPs to back amendments removing powers to curtail protest from the government's crime bill.

They are among 32 signatories to a letter urging all MPs to back amendments by the Lords that removed clauses giving powers to police to impose restrictions on protests considered too noisy, and to place conditions on static rallies and one-person protests.