CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH Industry (CBI) leader Sir Digby Jones has publicly backed the Government’s proposals to protect firms from campaigns of intimidation orchestrated by animal rights protestors.

“Of course we should all have the right to peaceful protest, but companies and their various employees have rights too,” said Jones. “They should be able to go about their legitimate business without any harassment and free from fear. I’m pleased the Government appears to be taking a stand on this issue.”

Jones stresses that it remains to be seen how effective the new laws are on the ground, arguing that: “Terrorism of any kind must not be allowed to stand in the way of perfectly lawful business activities.”

Jones’ comments were issued only a matter of days prior to the Government unveiling details of its Company Law Reform Bill, which states that company directors should no longer have to publish their home addresses. This has been a perennial problem for organisations including Huntingdon Life Sciences, where members of staff have been subjected to personal assault and injury in their home after activists discovered where they live.

Speaking about this decision, the CBI’s deputy director general John Cridland told SMT: “Creditors deserve the protection of a business address on the public record, but directors and their families shouldn’t be placed in danger as a result of going about their legitimate business. They too deserve some form of protection.”

Source

SMT