Amidst ongoing protests and the recent riots, Britain is facing a serious threat to free speech as police and the new Labour government target individuals and groups expressing certain viewpoints, while others are given a wider berth to express their beliefs, raising concerns of double standards and selective enforcement.
Britain is facing a growing crisis of free speech as the newly elected Labour government, overzealous police, and courts have cracked down on freedom of expression. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government have been accused of rolling back free speech protections on safety grounds and failing to eradicate selective enforcement of laws.
Lois McLatchie Miller, Senior Legal Communications Officer for Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) U.K., has observed a growing trend of curtailed free speech for certain groups. She notes that individuals holding specific beliefs seem to have their speech curtailed more easily than those with different viewpoints.
Free Speech Crisis in Britain: Government and Police Crack Down on Expression
The recent riots in England have reignited the debate about free speech, with police facing criticism for their heavy-handed approach in response to the social unrest. Critics argue that police have been overly harsh in their treatment of protesters, while turning a blind eye to violence and threats from certain groups.
For instance, last month, two pro-Israel counter-protesters carrying a sign that read "Hamas is terrorist" were arrested during a pro-Hamas march in London on suspicion of breach of peace. Their arrests came despite a previous court ruling that had rebuked the Metropolitan Police's attempt to ban the counter-protesters from attending future anti-Israel protests.
Free Speech Crisis in Britain: Government and Police Crack Down on Expression
Concerns over free speech in the U.K. extend beyond online, with double standards applied to different viewpoints and political protests. Lois McLatchie Miller points out that environmental protesters and pro-Palestinian groups are often given a wide berth to express their beliefs, even using violent language, while Christian protesters and those expressing support for Israel face stricter restrictions.
For instance, Dia Moodley, a Christian street evangelist, faced legal battles with the police after they forbade him from commenting on other religions or comparing them to Christianity. He eventually won his case in court, with the police admitting that the restrictions on his free speech were "disproportionate."
Free Speech Crisis in Britain: Government and Police Crack Down on Expression
Similarly, Adam Smith-Connor, a Christian military veteran, is facing criminal prosecution for silently praying near an abortion facility. Local authorities allege that his silent prayer violated a "buffer zone" where individuals are not allowed to express approval or disapproval of abortion.
The government has also taken steps to suppress perceived "fake news" and legal content deemed harmful, to avoid fueling social unrest. These measures would expand the scope of Britain’s Online Safety Act, making social media companies liable for "legal but harmful" content.
Free Speech Crisis in Britain: Government and Police Crack Down on Expression
However, there is growing backlash against the government's anti-free speech stance, particularly the decision to pause the implementation and potentially scrap the free speech law in higher education over safety concerns. Over 600 academics and intellectuals, including seven Nobel laureates, have signed a letter urging the government to reconsider this decision, arguing that there is a clear problem with free speech on British university campuses.
