[continued from previous message] 
  
 of expression was "an essential foundation of democratic society". 
  
 Lord Bingham said the case had raised "important questions on the right of 
 the private citizen to demonstrate against government policy and [on] the 
 powers of the police to curtail exercise of that right". 
  
 Jane Laporte, one of 120 passengers returned to London by police after 
 being stopped in Lechlade, Gloucestershire, said: "I am absolutely 
 overjoyed. The Lords have confirmed that freedom to protest is something 
 that should be treasured in this country and police don't have the right 
 to take it away." 
  
 The test case against the Gloucestershire police was brought in her name 
 after the campaigners, who went in three coaches to the authorised 
 demonstration, were stopped and searched, then asked to re-board the 
 vehicles. The coach doors were sealed by police, who escorted the vehicles 
 in convoy back to London and would not allow toilet stops, causing what 
 Lord Bingham described as "acute physical discomfort and embarrassment" to 
 many of the women. 
  
 John Halford, of the solicitors Bindman & Partners, said: "The House of 
 Lords judgment is a wake-up call for democracy." Gloucestershire police 
 said they were disappointed at the judgment, which they described as 
 "problematic" in relation to policing a wide range of events where there 
 was potential for disorder. 
  
 But Alex Gask, of the human rights group Liberty, said: "Nothing less than 
 our freedom of speech was at stake ... Unmerited concerns [of the police] 
 about some future 'breach of the peace' cannot justify the denial of this 
 fundamental right." 
  
 Lord Bingham said that it was not reasonable "to anticipate an outburst of 
 disorder" at the event given that the police would be in close attendance 
 and well able to identify or arrest any suspects. 
  
  
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