Was Walter Wolfgang a terrorist threat?

Written by Vincent Cable MP and published in The Informer on Fri 30th Sep 2005

The treatment of Richmond peace campaigner Walter Wolfgang, at the Labour conference was, on one level, a terrible but isolated mistake for which the Prime Minister has offered deep apologies. But what really alarmed me was the use of anti-terrorism legislation against him by the local police.

There are now many small ways in which traditional British freedom of speech and dissent is being eroded. The government is planning to make illegal a one man anti-war protest in Parliament Square. The gentleman concerned, with his megaphone blaring, is irritating - as he doubtless intends to be. But there is no excuse for silencing him. I also oppose the legislation in parliament to curb the incitement to religious hatred because it could silence sincere, if critical, views of different religions and gag comedians and play writers. Orange marches; blasphemous films and books; radical Imams; all cause offence but a democracy should be able to cope with them.

There are two underlying problems. One is the government's instinctive control freakery and intolerance of criticism. The Iraq war is making the government particularly defensive. All power corrupts, silencing critics is the start.

Second, fear of terrorism is leading to over reaction and abuse of state powers. It is only recently that anti-globalisation protestors faced anti-terror action. Their views and behaviour may be inflammatory but that is not terrorism. I and my colleagues will be opposing an extension of these powers when parliament resumes because we know that, in practice, they will be abused.

The return of parliament itself is being delayed because of new, anti-terror, protective measures. All of this is unlikely to deter terrorists but it will create yet more barriers between politicians and public, shutting out the awkward, but essential, voice of dissent and protest.