Most MPs support change to 'insult' law

 PA

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."

11% OFF
VitaUp Beet Root Gummies with CoQ10 & Grape Seed - Nitric Oxide Circulation Support (60 Count)
$24.91 $27.91
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
40% OFF
ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque
$132 $219.99
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
60% OFF
Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants
$13.99 $34.99
55% OFF
Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants
$14.99 $32.99
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
12% OFF
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools - Set of 4
$395.99 $449.99
23% OFF
Ergonomic Office Chair - Big and Tall Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support
$279.99 $363.99
26% OFF
Magnelex American Flag Windshield Sun Shade - High-Resolution UV Reflective Heat Shield (X-Large)
$19.9 $26.9
20% OFF
EVIQO 48 Amp NACS Level 2 EV Charger - Hardwired Smart WiFi Wall Charger for Tesla
$368.51 $458.55
50% OFF
DBFIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room
$29.99 $59.99
Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Churches must disciple well and listen well in response to rise of Christian nationalism 
Churches must disciple well and listen well in response to rise of Christian nationalism 

Churches have a task on their hands to raise standards of theological literacy in their congregations amid growing Christian nationalism, while at the same time listening to and engaging with the concerns of people in their flock. 

A Christian response to the crisis facing young people
A Christian response to the crisis facing young people

The Church has a wonderful message of hope to share with young people increasingly feeling a sense of nihilism and hopelessness at the state of the world, writes Tim Farron.

Tributes paid to Operation Mobilisation co-founder Dale Rhoton
Tributes paid to Operation Mobilisation co-founder Dale Rhoton

Tributes have been paid to Dale Rhoton, one of the co-founders of international mission organisation Operation Mobilisation (OM), after his death at the age of 88.

Doctors should work for good of the patient, not facilitate suicide, says Christian Medical Fellowship
Doctors should work for good of the patient, not facilitate suicide, says Christian Medical Fellowship

Suicide is always a tragedy that should be resisted, the CMF suggested.

Today's Top Deals

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

$24.91
$27.91 11% 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

ROTAKE TB3 20V Heavy Duty 1/2" Cordless Impact Wrench Kit - 1380 Ft-Lbs Torque

$132
$219.99 40% 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

Ekouaer Women's Satin Silky Pajama Set - Short Sleeve Pullover Top & Wide-Leg Pants

$13.99
$34.99 60% OFF
View Deal

Ekouaer 3-Piece Maternity & Nursing Pajamas Set - Short Sleeve Top with Shorts and Pants

$14.99
$32.99 55% 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

Elegant Mid-Century Modern Bar Stools - Set of 4

$395.99
$449.99 12% OFF
View Deal

Ergonomic Office Chair - Big and Tall Desk Chair with Adjustable Lumbar Support

$279.99
$363.99 23% OFF
View Deal

Magnelex American Flag Windshield Sun Shade - High-Resolution UV Reflective Heat Shield (X-Large)

$19.9
$26.9 26% OFF
View Deal

EVIQO 48 Amp NACS Level 2 EV Charger - Hardwired Smart WiFi Wall Charger for Tesla

$368.51
$458.55 20% OFF
View Deal

DBFIT Air Purifier for Home Large Room

$29.99
$59.99 50% OFF
View Deal