Public Order Act 1986
(asked on 11th November 2020) - View Source
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal included in the report by the Law Commission Hate crime laws: A consultation paper, published on 23 September, to remove the dwelling exception from section 18 of the Public Order Act 1986; whether they intend to take steps to ensure that freedom of speech is upheld regardless of any changes arising as a result of that consultation; if not, why not; and what discussions the have had with the Law Commission about that proposal.
Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Government is committed to upholding free speech and legislation is in place to protect this fundamental right. The UK is an open and diverse country and freedom of speech is one of the values that defines us as a society. The Law Commission’s consultation closes on the 24th December and we encourage those with an interest to share their views.
We will consider the review’s recommendations and respond once it is complete.