Most MPs support change to 'insult' law

A majority of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats support a proposed change to Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Section 5 makes it illegal to use "threatening, abusive or insulting" words or behaviour if they are likely to cause "harassment, alarm or distress".

Arrests have been made of individuals expressing views on religion and sexuality on the grounds of breaching Section 5.

Section 5 has been used against a student who jokingly told a police officer his horse was 'gay', a teenager carrying a sign which read 'Scientology is a dangerous cult', and human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell for holding a placard denouncing Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Lord Dear's proposal would remove the term 'insulting' from Section 5.

A new poll by ComRes has found that a majority of Tory and Lib Dem MPs - 79% and 70% respectively - are set to support the move.
Support among Labour MPs is at 31 per cent.

The survey of 154 MPs follows last month's Government defeat in the House of Lords. The amendment to remove 'insults' was carried by 150 votes to 54 and has now been incorporated into Clause 38 of the Crime and Courts Bill, which is due to go before the House of Commons on 14 January.

The Campaign to Reform Section 5 (RS5) is supported by the Christian Institute and the National Secular Society.

Simon Calvert, RS5 Campaign Director said the law as it currently stands "criminalises free speech".

He said: "A majority of parliamentarians from both the Lords and the Commons recognise that this legislation should be reformed.

"It's about time the Government recognised that dropping the word 'insulting' from the law will stop innocent people being from being arrested and hauled before the Courts without harming the ability of police and prosecutors to protect the public.

"The move is sensible, popular, and they should get on with it."

49% OFF
MANSPOT Electric Pubic Hair Trimmer - Waterproof Body and Groin Shaver for Men and Women (Black)
$20.39 $40
25% OFF
Lick-Safe Dog Paw and Nose Balm Stick - All-Natural Moisturizer with Coconut Oil for Dry, Cracked Pads and Snout
$11.69 $15.59
77% OFF
Men's Quick Dry Moisture Wicking Polo Shirt - High Elasticity Slim Fit Athletic Top (Runs Small)
$6.99 $29.99
46% OFF
Men's Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Multi-Sport
$12.95 $23.99
50% OFF
NEWFAST NF-RE523 AC1200 WiFi Extender - 1200Mbps Dual Band Signal Booster & Internet Repeater
$18.5 $36.99
48% OFF
G Gradual Men's 7-inch Workout Running Shorts - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Comfort
$12.91 $24.99
30% OFF
NOVETE Under Sink Water Filter - 3 Years, 30,000 Gallons, High-Efficiency Filtration
$41.99 $59.99
50% OFF
HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)
$69.99 $139.99
60% OFF
HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry
$19.99 $49.99
58% OFF
G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets
$14.99 $35.99
55% OFF
Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)
$49.99 $110.99
61% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets
$14.99 $37.99
36% OFF
Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry
$12.74 $19.99
61% OFF
Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor
$69.3 $179.99
50% OFF
MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator
$39.97 $79.95
40% OFF
X-Sense XS01-WX Smart Smoke Alarm - 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Photoelectric Fire Detector with Mobile App Alerts
$65.99 $109.99
11% OFF
VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)
$24.91 $27.91
Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump
$0 $113.99
20% OFF
INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool
$695.99 $869.99
Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)
$0 $149.99
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Gloucester churches come together to bless River Avon amid pollution concerns
Gloucester churches come together to bless River Avon amid pollution concerns

It is part of a broader campaign against river pollution as concerns remain about the amount of untreated sewage in the Avon.

Life beyond burnout: how Christians can grow in the desert seasons
Life beyond burnout: how Christians can grow in the desert seasons

Christian Today speaks to author and Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren about growth in desert seasons and why the Church shouldn’t treat all spiritual weariness as a problem to fix.

Iranian-born bishop stands in solidarity with Britain's Jews
Iranian-born bishop stands in solidarity with Britain's Jews

2025 had the second highest number of antisemitic incidents on record.

Bishops protest Israeli arrest of another Palestinian Christian
Bishops protest Israeli arrest of another Palestinian Christian

An Evangelical Lutheran has been accused of "promoting terrorist activities".

Today's Top Deals

MANSPOT Electric Pubic Hair Trimmer - Waterproof Body and Groin Shaver for Men and Women (Black)

$20.39
$40 49% OFF
View Deal

Lick-Safe Dog Paw and Nose Balm Stick - All-Natural Moisturizer with Coconut Oil for Dry, Cracked Pads and Snout

$11.69
$15.59 25% OFF
View Deal

Men's Quick Dry Moisture Wicking Polo Shirt - High Elasticity Slim Fit Athletic Top (Runs Small)

$6.99
$29.99 77% OFF
View Deal

Men's Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Multi-Sport

$12.95
$23.99 46% OFF
View Deal

NEWFAST NF-RE523 AC1200 WiFi Extender - 1200Mbps Dual Band Signal Booster & Internet Repeater

$18.5
$36.99 50% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's 7-inch Workout Running Shorts - Lightweight, Quick-Dry, Comfort

$12.91
$24.99 48% OFF
View Deal

NOVETE Under Sink Water Filter - 3 Years, 30,000 Gallons, High-Efficiency Filtration

$41.99
$59.99 30% OFF
View Deal

HDPE All-Weather Adirondack Chair with Built-In Cup Holder - Tool-Free Assembly (Grey)

$69.99
$139.99 50% OFF
View Deal

HOMETUK Clear Plastic Storage Bins with Dividers - 3-Pack Stackable Acrylic Organizer Containers for Fridge and Pantry

$19.99
$49.99 60% OFF
View Deal

G Gradual Men's Fishing Shirt - UPF 50+ Lightweight Short Sleeve Button Down with Zipper Pockets

$14.99
$35.99 58% OFF
View Deal

Everyfun 60" Rectangular Platform Tree Swing - 700lbs Heavy Duty Adjustable Outdoor Swing (Colorful)

$49.99
$110.99 55% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer Women's Casual Loose Jumpsuit - One-Piece Printed Sleeveless Wide Leg Romper with Pockets

$14.99
$37.99 61% OFF
View Deal

Men's Athletic Running Shorts with Zipper Pockets - Lightweight & Quick Dry

$12.74
$19.99 36% OFF
View Deal

Modern Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Reversible Quiet DC Motor

$69.3
$179.99 61% OFF
View Deal

MOOKA H13 True HEPA Air Purifier for Home Large Room - 1076 sq ft Odor Eliminator

$39.97
$79.95 50% OFF
View Deal

X-Sense XS01-WX Smart Smoke Alarm - 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi Photoelectric Fire Detector with Mobile App Alerts

$65.99
$109.99 40% OFF
View Deal

VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)

$24.91
$27.91 11% OFF
View Deal

Sealy 2-Pack Tritech 16" Twin Inflatable Air Mattress with Built-in AC Pump

$0
$113.99 0% OFF
View Deal

INTEX Prism Frame 20ft x 52in Above Ground Pool Set - Round Steel Frame Swimming Pool

$695.99
$869.99 20% OFF
View Deal

Gardner Pet 43" Heavy Duty Dog Crate with Wheels - Indestructible Folding Metal Cage (Black)

$0
$149.99 0% OFF
View Deal