A COUNTY MP has defended her support for the government's controversial new policing bill.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, was speaking after members of Extinction Rebellion in Malvern accused her of being "on the wrong side of democracy".

Mrs Baldwin said she supported the bill because it was a manifesto pledge, and rejected accusations that it outlaws protest.

She said: "I supported the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which is a long-term piece of legislation which was pledged in the Conservative manifesto in 2019 and proposes a series of important reforms to the criminal justice system, bringing tougher sentences for the most heinous offences as well as further protecting public order.

"The Bill does not in any way restrict protests, although it does propose giving more power to the police to stop some of the more extreme stunts which have blocked ambulances from reaching hospitals and MPs from reaching Parliament to vote.

"We are still in a period of national lockdown and because a highly contagious virus is circulating, public health rules are in place which discourage people from meeting up for vigils and public protests.

"Sadly, it also prevents me from holding face to face advice surgeries for my constituents too, although I would have been happy to meet these protesters outside in a socially distanced way if they had asked me.

"During this period of extra restrictions we have all seen our liberties curtailed and this Bill offers us the chance to have an important debate on the role of police and the judiciary as we prepare to return to our normal lives.

"Bringing back the full right to peaceful protest will be a welcome return to normality."

On March 16, members of the climate group set up a desk outside Mrs Baldwin's office saying they wanted to talk to the MP about the bill.

Emma Mary Gathergood, a group member, said: "We have an empty seat here for Mrs Baldwin to come and explain her vote in favour of this dangerous bill.

“Britain has a rich history of protest for social change, and curtailing that is a nail in the coffin of our democracy.

"This is a slippery slope to a society of intolerance in which those who disagree with the government can only protest in a small corner where no one sees or hears them.

"We should have enough faith in our democracy that people can loudly and boldly disagree without fear of prison.”

The Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday night by 96 votes, and Mrs. Baldwin voted in favour of the bill.

It will now go to the Lord's before returning to the Commons for a final vote.

Ms Gathergood added: "Extinction Rebellion is utterly committed to nonviolent protest in the best tradition of the Suffragettes and Martin Luther King.

"We should not be demonised and imprisoned for speaking the truth about the climate and ecological emergency.

"Only the worst autocrats fear dissent, and Mrs Baldwin has sadly positioned herself on the wrong side of democracy."