Religion: Advertisements

Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve Excerpts

Wednesday 25th November 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

My Lords, I have not seen the article. Perhaps we should put the advert in the context of where we are at the moment: the atrocious events that happened in Paris last week and the run-up to Christmas. If anyone looks at the advert, the context is very much thinking about the world and how we can make it a better place.

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister accept that there is not and cannot be a right not to be offended? Offence is in the eye of the beholder, and the right to freedom of expression and the right to manifest religion or belief cannot be curtailed by a supposed right not to be offended.

[Baroness Williams of Trafford]

The noble Baroness is absolutely right.