David Mead
@seethingmead.bsky.social
Professor of UK Human Rights Law, UEA: public order/protest/policing/free speech/human rights
Poor but inveterate punster.Converse collector. Law, politics, Derby County, & music
Man of Sussex in exile…still fighting the forced East/West partition of ‘72
Poor but inveterate punster.Converse collector. Law, politics, Derby County, & music
Man of Sussex in exile…still fighting the forced East/West partition of ‘72
Reposted by David Mead
"In Defence of Classical Administrative Law", by @philipmurraylaw and me, has now been published in the Cambridge Law Journal on FirstView. It is available via the following link (open access): doi.org/10.1017/S000...
December 16, 2025 at 11:49 AM
"In Defence of Classical Administrative Law", by @philipmurraylaw and me, has now been published in the Cambridge Law Journal on FirstView. It is available via the following link (open access): doi.org/10.1017/S000...
The veil of ignorance has an awful lot to commend it
I often think back to a Greek taxi driver who once told me: "Too many people want the harshest laws they can imagine - for everyone except themselves."
This thinking is rife on the right, but it is also prevalent in a significant minority on the left. And that last part always takes me by surprise.
This thinking is rife on the right, but it is also prevalent in a significant minority on the left. And that last part always takes me by surprise.
December 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
The veil of ignorance has an awful lot to commend it
Reposted by David Mead
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
From emancipation to women’s suffrage, civil rights and BLM, mass movement has shaped the arc of US history
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:25 AM
How effective is protesting? According to historians and political scientists: very
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Alternatively, it’s A to Z
Not everything is a conspiracy
Not everything is a conspiracy
December 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Alternatively, it’s A to Z
Not everything is a conspiracy
Not everything is a conspiracy
Lord…it’s like Cameron announcing his love of The Jam
Harvey’s is MY beer
Harvey’s is MY beer
December 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Lord…it’s like Cameron announcing his love of The Jam
Harvey’s is MY beer
Harvey’s is MY beer
“More speech drowns out bad speech”
December 25, 2025 at 6:59 PM
“More speech drowns out bad speech”
Bari Weiss is what a satirist would use so that Barry White couldn’t sue them
Bari Weiss yanking a 60 Minutes story is censorship by oligarchy | Margaret Sullivan
Weiss ought to cut her losses, green-light the piece, and try to start acting like an editor – not like a cog in the machine of authoritarian politics and oligarchy
www.theguardian.com
December 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Bari Weiss is what a satirist would use so that Barry White couldn’t sue them
Interesting contribution on free speech law and humour by my good chum @jennyflower.bsky.social
“Dogwhistles, Discrimination, Humour and the Law: Regulating Implicit Messaging” doi.org/10.16995/olh... Published as part of the #OLHJournal special collection Humour as a Human Right
“Dogwhistles, Discrimination, Humour and the Law: Regulating Implicit Messaging” doi.org/10.16995/olh... Published as part of the #OLHJournal special collection Humour as a Human Right
Dogwhistles, Discrimination, Humour and the Law: Regulating Implicit Messaging
This paper explores how implicit, discriminatory messages bypass sanctions in the United Kingdom and beyond, despite their potential for significant societal harm. Drawing on linguistic and humour res...
doi.org
December 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Interesting contribution on free speech law and humour by my good chum @jennyflower.bsky.social
“Dogwhistles, Discrimination, Humour and the Law: Regulating Implicit Messaging” doi.org/10.16995/olh... Published as part of the #OLHJournal special collection Humour as a Human Right
“Dogwhistles, Discrimination, Humour and the Law: Regulating Implicit Messaging” doi.org/10.16995/olh... Published as part of the #OLHJournal special collection Humour as a Human Right
Reposted by David Mead
Here's a deep dive on the law used to ban Palestine Action, which is the first group listed as a terrorist organisation on the basis of "serious damage to property"
The law, from 2000, drew concern from politicians at the time over the broad definition of terrorism
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
The law, from 2000, drew concern from politicians at the time over the broad definition of terrorism
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
How a Pro-Palestinian Group Fell Foul of a Long Unused U.K. Terrorism Law
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Here's a deep dive on the law used to ban Palestine Action, which is the first group listed as a terrorist organisation on the basis of "serious damage to property"
The law, from 2000, drew concern from politicians at the time over the broad definition of terrorism
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
The law, from 2000, drew concern from politicians at the time over the broad definition of terrorism
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/w...
She has not been arrested for that
It is not a crime
She was arrested for holding a placard which also said
Support Palestine action prisoners
Whether that is the same as supporting PA is obviously a key legal question but at least let’s be honest here about what facts led to her arrest
It is not a crime
She was arrested for holding a placard which also said
Support Palestine action prisoners
Whether that is the same as supporting PA is obviously a key legal question but at least let’s be honest here about what facts led to her arrest
Greta Thunberg arrested for holding a sign opposing genocide.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
When peaceful protest is a crime, democracy is in deep trouble.
Happening under a Labour Government.
🚨BREAKING: GRETA THUNBERG ARRESTED UNDER TERRORISM ACT FOR SUPPORTING 'PALESTINE ACTION PRISONERS'
December 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
She has not been arrested for that
It is not a crime
She was arrested for holding a placard which also said
Support Palestine action prisoners
Whether that is the same as supporting PA is obviously a key legal question but at least let’s be honest here about what facts led to her arrest
It is not a crime
She was arrested for holding a placard which also said
Support Palestine action prisoners
Whether that is the same as supporting PA is obviously a key legal question but at least let’s be honest here about what facts led to her arrest
Ban puppy farming?
I’d be amazed they could even operate a tractor with their little paws
I’d be amazed they could even operate a tractor with their little paws
December 22, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Ban puppy farming?
I’d be amazed they could even operate a tractor with their little paws
I’d be amazed they could even operate a tractor with their little paws
I was also one of the legal experts but have ended up on the sub editor’s floor.I’d suggest three cumulative reasons…
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
Met using outdated powers to police pro-Palestine protests, say legal experts
Lawyers argue ‘cumulative disruption’ regulations were quashed in May and should therefore not be used
www.theguardian.com
December 21, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I was also one of the legal experts but have ended up on the sub editor’s floor.I’d suggest three cumulative reasons…
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
1. If Parliament had meant that in 1986, it had ample opportunity to make it clear
2. The introduction of ‘clarifying’ Regs suggests they did not then, that power was never there
It’s a literal “these days…”
Fantastic
Fantastic
December 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
It’s a literal “these days…”
Fantastic
Fantastic
Have we forgotten Ugly Rumours?
Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle
Keir Starmer is our most musical prime minister since Edward Heath. He must take up the baton for the arts | Martin Kettle
Not all of the problems of Britain’s cultural sector come down to funding, but an awful lot do. That’s where leadership comes in, says Guardian columnist Martin Kettle
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Have we forgotten Ugly Rumours?
Has anyone else had one of these - purported class litigation settlement offer in the “AI stole my authored works” case
Is it legit?
@paulbernal.bsky.social
Is it legit?
@paulbernal.bsky.social
December 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Has anyone else had one of these - purported class litigation settlement offer in the “AI stole my authored works” case
Is it legit?
@paulbernal.bsky.social
Is it legit?
@paulbernal.bsky.social
Climate protesters win groundbreaking class action against Victoria police over use of pepper spray
Climate protesters win groundbreaking class action against Victoria police over use of pepper spray
Potentially precedent-setting case brought after Jordan Brown hit with capsicum spray outside mining and resources conference in Melbourne in 2019
Climate protesters have won a class action against Victoria police over the use of capsicum spray during an anti-mining demonstration in Melbourne.
The first class action against Victoria police in relation to alleged excessive use of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray was heard in the state’s supreme court earlier this year, and a decision was handed down on Friday. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Reposted by David Mead
We are delighted to welcome new members to @publiclaw.bsky.social's editorial committee. From January 2026 we will be joined by Mike Gordon (Liverpool) and Silvia Suteu (@eui-law.bsky.social), with @ymarique.bsky.social (Essex) and @paulfscott.bsky.social (Glasgow) joining from January 2027.
December 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
We are delighted to welcome new members to @publiclaw.bsky.social's editorial committee. From January 2026 we will be joined by Mike Gordon (Liverpool) and Silvia Suteu (@eui-law.bsky.social), with @ymarique.bsky.social (Essex) and @paulfscott.bsky.social (Glasgow) joining from January 2027.
Very important 500+ page report out today on state of Dutch #protest law, looking comparatively at Germany, UK and France. Researched & written by Berend Roorda from @rug.nl & Noor Swart, PhD candidate whom I hosted as a visiting scholar this time last year
repository.wodc.nl/bitstream/ha...
repository.wodc.nl/bitstream/ha...
repository.wodc.nl
December 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Very important 500+ page report out today on state of Dutch #protest law, looking comparatively at Germany, UK and France. Researched & written by Berend Roorda from @rug.nl & Noor Swart, PhD candidate whom I hosted as a visiting scholar this time last year
repository.wodc.nl/bitstream/ha...
repository.wodc.nl/bitstream/ha...
Lordy, I’m driving through Crowborough tomorrow (erstwhile home 1975-1980) en route to see my dad in Eastbourne
‘Not in our village’: asylum camp rumours prompt fear and night vigils in East Sussex
‘Not in our village’: asylum camp rumours prompt fear and night vigils in East Sussex
Crowborough on edge as unconfirmed plan to house asylum seekers in training camp spurs street patrols and pre-emptive protests
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Lordy, I’m driving through Crowborough tomorrow (erstwhile home 1975-1980) en route to see my dad in Eastbourne
“He’s behind you”
“Oh no, he isn’t”
“Oh no, he isn’t”
Amazing to have @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social on the picket line outside Capital City College in Finsbury Park.
Our members are on strike over pay, national bargaining and workload. Please show your support!
Our members are on strike over pay, national bargaining and workload. Please show your support!
December 10, 2025 at 3:56 PM
“He’s behind you”
“Oh no, he isn’t”
“Oh no, he isn’t”
Reposted by David Mead
Kirsty Hughes: The Implications of the Court of Appeal’s Judgment on ‘Family Life’ for the Government’s Immigration Proposals ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/10/k...
Kirsty Hughes: The Implications of the Court of Appeal’s Judgment on ‘Family Life’ for the Government’s Immigration Proposals
On 27 November 2025 the Court of Appeal handed down its judgment in IA v SHHD [2025] EWCA Civ 1516 clarifying the correct test to be used when determining whether there is ‘family life’ in immigrat…
ukconstitutionallaw.org
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Kirsty Hughes: The Implications of the Court of Appeal’s Judgment on ‘Family Life’ for the Government’s Immigration Proposals ukconstitutionallaw.org/2025/12/10/k...
Very problematic dismissal if PA wins its JR and the proscription ruled unlawful
This would then be a dismissal for expressing lawful opinions outside the workplace
This would then be a dismissal for expressing lawful opinions outside the workplace
Disability Charity Sacks Employee for Palestine Protest, Citing ‘Brand Reputation’
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, of which Chloe is a member, believes she is the first person to speak publicly after being fired for participating in these actions.
novaramedia.com/2025/12/04/d...
The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain, of which Chloe is a member, believes she is the first person to speak publicly after being fired for participating in these actions.
novaramedia.com/2025/12/04/d...
Disability Charity Sacks Employee for Palestine Protest, Citing ‘Brand Reputation’ | Novara Media
Exclusive: Sense sacked an employee after she was arrested at a peaceful protest against Palestine Action’s proscription. In a letter, the charity told her it needed to think of its ‘brand reputation’...
novaramedia.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Very problematic dismissal if PA wins its JR and the proscription ruled unlawful
This would then be a dismissal for expressing lawful opinions outside the workplace
This would then be a dismissal for expressing lawful opinions outside the workplace
What a total and utter see you next Tuesday
My wife ordinarily does not need a wheelchair but uses a walking stick & has a pronounced limp - neuro damage from a brain tumour
She walks at a speed of at most 1.5 mph, and is exhausted after about 20 minutes
My wife ordinarily does not need a wheelchair but uses a walking stick & has a pronounced limp - neuro damage from a brain tumour
She walks at a speed of at most 1.5 mph, and is exhausted after about 20 minutes
December 8, 2025 at 10:22 AM
What a total and utter see you next Tuesday
My wife ordinarily does not need a wheelchair but uses a walking stick & has a pronounced limp - neuro damage from a brain tumour
She walks at a speed of at most 1.5 mph, and is exhausted after about 20 minutes
My wife ordinarily does not need a wheelchair but uses a walking stick & has a pronounced limp - neuro damage from a brain tumour
She walks at a speed of at most 1.5 mph, and is exhausted after about 20 minutes