![insult order t pose bug insult order t pose bug](https://i.imgur.com/a7ceFdV.png)
The consultation closed four months ago, but the Government has yet to set out its views. In October, Home Secretary Mrs May launched a consultation on the Public Order Act, including whether the word ‘insulting’ in Section 5 strikes the right balance between freedom of expression and the right not to be harassed, alarmed or distressed.
INSULT ORDER T POSE BUG FREE
He added: ‘The open exchange of ideas – including unpalatable, even offensive, ideas – is a hallmark of a free and democratic society.’ Mr Tatchell, a prominent gay rights advocate, said Section 5 was a ‘menace to free speech and the right to protest’. Others backing the campaign include Big Brother Watch, the Freedom Association and the Peter Tatchell Foundation. Free speech is not free if it is available only to some and not others.’ Keith Porteous Wood of the National Secular Society said: ‘Secularists, in defending free expression, must ensure that the law is fair to everybody and argue equally for the right of religious and non-religious people to freely criticise and exchange opinions without fear of the law, unless they are inciting violence. Only 17 per cent of MPs believe removing the ‘insult’ clause would undermine the ability of the police to protect the public. This would provide proportionate protection to individuals’ right to free speech, while continuing to protect people from threatening or abusive speech.’Ī poll by ComRes, commissioned by campaigners, found 62 per cent of MPs believe it should not be the business of Government to outlaw ‘insults’.
![insult order t pose bug insult order t pose bug](https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018052615272800-e7260330e4b7d47c63ff99ba9689d77c1.jpg)
The word “insulting” should be removed from section 5 of the Public Order Act. ‘The solution is simple: The law needs to change. It is not the job of the police and the courts to prevent us from having our feelings hurt. Freedom of speech includes the right to criticise, to ridicule and to offend. ‘Of course nobody likes to be insulted, particularly in public, but nor does anyone have a right not to be insulted. It is not only distressing for the individuals concerned, it constitutes a threat to Britain’s tradition of free speech,’ he said.
![insult order t pose bug insult order t pose bug](https://eurekatentscanada.com/assets/products/tents/new2tent_thumbs/Jade-Canyonx6-1109890-PLP-Thumb.jpg)
‘There is a growing list of examples where the law against using “insulting” language has led to heavy-handed action by police and prosecutors. Human rights campaigners, MPs, faith groups and secular organisations have joined forces to have the ‘insulting words or behaviour’ phrase removed from the legislation, arguing that it restricts freedom of speech and penalises campaigners, protesters and even preachers.įormer shadow home secretary David Davis, a leading campaigner for civil liberties, said reform was ‘vital to protecting freedom of expression in Britain today’. Theresa May is being urged to reform a controversial law which bans ‘insulting words or behaviour’ amid mounting evidence that it is strangling free speech.Ĭampaigners say the Public Order Act is being abused by over-zealous police and prosecutors to arrest Christian street preachers, critics of Scientology, gay rights campaigners and even students making jokes.Ĭurrently, Section 5 of the 1986 Act outlaws ‘insulting words or behaviour’, but what constitutes ‘insulting’ is unclear and has resulted in a string of controversial arrests. Reform: Campaign groups have urged Home Secretary Theresa May to modify the controversial Public Order Act