Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 February (HL187), whether it is possible that a hearsay remark, if construed by a bystander as offensive, could be reported as a hate crime and the perpetrator interviewed by the police as a result; and if so, what steps they intend to take to protect freedom of speech.

It is an operational matter for the police to determine whether to investigate all incidents reported to them. When investigating allegations of hate crime it is for the police to apply the relevant legislation, including the freedom of expression defence contained in section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986.