A MID and West Wales MS has railed against a new crime bill making its way through Westminster that could weaken the right to protest, calling parts of the legislation “dangerous and draconian”.

Liberal Democrat MS Jane Dodds, during a debate in the Senedd on the Legislative Consent Motion for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is currently going through Westminster, said that “large sections of this Bill fail to address the failings of previous Government policy and legislation and reinforce discriminatory and ineffective measures, including stop and search.”

“Vast swathes of the 300 page Bill are destructive and undermine laws designed to protect people like the Mental Capacity Act, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the Public Order Act.

“It is yet the latest in a long line of destructive attacks on the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act by this Conservative Government.

“The right to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental human right and has always been a crucial part of our democratic society.

“Threatening to weaken people’s ability to challenge the Government is the act of dictators and despots, not democrats.

“This Senedd was founded on the basis of transparency, accountability, of equality, and broad participation in society and our democracy – this Bill strikes at the heart of those principles and this Senedd should refuse consent for this dangerous and draconian Bill.

“It also highlights why justice needs to be devolved to Wales.”

Parts of the bill suffered defeat in the House of Lords last week, with members seeking to remove elements of the plan.

Former Deputy First Minister and Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Member Baroness Jenny Randerson said: “I am extremely glad the House of Lords voted down the draconian elements of this legislation.”