Local MP welcomes protection against extremists

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 26th May 2006

As the High Court today grants the University of Oxford a new injunction against animal rights extremists, Dr Evan Harris, Lib Dem MP for the area who has campaigned in support of the lab and against animal rights extremism, said:

"I welcome the balanced and proportionate approach taken by the judge. The University have not been given all that they've asked for but I think it is important to protect the right for legitimate protest, not least to demonstrate the total counter-productiveness and moral bankruptcy of the extremists campaign of harassment and intimidation.

"I welcome the additional protection to university staff, contractors and others - including myself.

"As the local MP I have had a number of complaints about the noisy protests but I've always argued that some annoyance, within reason from legitimate protest, is a price we pay for free expression in a democracy."

Dr Harris has tabled EDM 1850 in support of animal research and the Oxford Research Centre and has spoken out in favour of animal research on many platforms including speaking at the pro-animal research protest march organised by PRO-TEST on 25th February 2006.

Today the High Court granted the University of Oxford an extension to an existing injunction intended to provide protection against violence, criminal activity and intimidation by animal rights extremists.