UK protection measures

The UK government has unveiled new measures to protect company directors under threat of violence or intimidation. The move comes in the wake of the threats and violence suffered by employees of biotechnology firm Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) at the hands of animal activists.

Under the draft regulations published in October, threatened directors will be able to apply to keep their home addresses private.

The government first introduced a consultation document covering its proposals for new legislation to control the situation in March this year, following the attack on HLS's managing director Brian Cass.

The question now remains as to whether these measures go far enough. It will apply only to directors who can demonstrate that they, or someone that lives with them, are at risk of violence or intimidation. These individuals will instead be allowed to file a service address on public records at Companies House.

Melanie Johnson, consumer and competition minister, commented that: 'The biotech and research industries are a vital part of the UK economy. We are determined to support them and protect their employees from further terrorisation.'