The High Court has rejected a case brought forward by campaigners trying to overturn the Met Police's decision that a vigil on Clapham Common would be "unlawful".
Campaigners had been told that a planned gathering on Clapham Common Saturday evening would be "unlawful" due to coronavirus restrictions.
Mr Justice Holgate said it would not be “appropriate for the court” to make the declaration sought by campaigners.
He ruled that “the requirements of the law have been clearly stated” in previous court rulings, including a challenge to Covid-19 lockdown rules brought by businessman Simon Dolan, which was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December.
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The judge also said: “Given what has happened at the hearing, it may well be that there will be further communication between the claimants and the solicitors they instruct and the police to deal with the application of the regulations and (the rights to freedom of expression and assembly) to this particular event.”
However, he added: “That is not a matter upon which the court should comment.”
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The judge concluded: “I decline to grant the interim relief sought. But I hope that, in this judgment, I have clarified the application of the law in so far as it is appropriate for me to do so at this stage.”
Organisers Reclaim These Streets said that by forcing them to cancel the vigil, the Met Police would be "silencing thousands of women".
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