Straw lifts Commons demo exclusion zone

The ban on protests outside Parliament is to be lifted, Jack Straw announced today.

The Justice Secretary said the 1km exclusion zone would be abolished and protesters would no longer have to gain permission from the Met to stage a rally.

The move, contained in the constitutional renewal Bill published today, follows an outcry after protesters were convicted for reading a list of British soldiers killed in Iraq outside Downing Street.

It is also a victory for Brian Haw who fought off attempts by the police and Commons authorities to remove his "peace camp" from Parliament Square.

Other measures in the Bill include removing prime ministerial interference in the appointment of the judiciary.