John Baron MP votes for free speech

MP disagrees with Government during Protection of Freedoms Bill

Last night John Baron MP voted against the Government to support the debating of an Amendment to the Protection of Freedoms Bill to improve free speech. The Government won the vote 243-62. The Amendment aimed to decriminalise the use of ‘insulting’ words by adapting Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. Although originally passed to quell football hooliganism, in recent years this act has been invoked to stifle open democratic debate by inhibiting people from expressing their views. In 2009, Parliament’s Human Rights Joint Committee recommended that ‘we do not think that language or behaviour which is merely “insulting” should ever be criminalised’.

John said:

“Parliament has a duty to protect our freedoms. To deny us a debate on free speech was wrong and indeed perverse – a misnomer of a Bill if ever there was one.”

“There is always a delicate balance between the freedom of expression and the obligation to protect the public, but we must be wary of restricting free speech if it is not threatening or abusive. As a civilised society, we should have the confidence not to be frightened by extreme views.”

Notes to Editors

1. Other Acts ensure that language or behaviour which is ‘threatening or abusive’ remains a criminal act, whilst the Protection from Harassment Act provides robust deterrence and sanctions against anti-social behaviour.