UK: Free speech victory over 'homosexual hatred' law

Thursday, 8 May 2008

The Government backed down last night and allowed a free speech protection to be written into its proposed 'homophobic hatred' law.

The decision came after the Government was defeated for a second time in the House of Lords. Peers voted 178 to 164 in favour of the protection yesterday evening.

This marks the end of a lengthy battle to make clear that the new criminal offence should not interfere with free speech or religious liberty.

The protection underlines the fact that criticising homosexual practice or urging people to refrain from such conduct will not, in itself, be a crime. the rest