Streeting says hate speech laws are having ‘unintended consequences’ after arrest of Father Ted writer – UK politics live | Politics

Streeting suggests hate speech legal guidelines needs to be revised, saying they’ve had ‘unintended penalties’On the Downing Road foyer briefing yesterday the PM’s spokesperson was reluctant to remark instantly on the arrest of Graham Linehan. However he did say that Keir Starmer thought the police needs to be specializing in “delinquent behaviour, shoplifting, avenue crime, in addition to lowering severe violent crimes like knife crime and violence in opposition to girls”. The Every day Telegraph has interepreted that as an assault on the Met.Telegraph splash {Photograph}: Every day TelegraphWes Streeting, the well being secretary, was on the media spherical this morning and in some respects he adopted the identical line. Requested in regards to the arrest, he instructed Instances Radio:
I believe the prime minister and the house secretary have been very clear that with the regulation and order challenges we’ve acquired in our nation, we wish to see folks being stored secure by policing streets, not simply policing tweets.
However Streeting additionally made a unique argument, mentioning that the police have been solely implementing legal guidelines handed by parliament and that, if MPs felt their actions have been extreme, they wanted to vary the regulation. He instructed Instances Radio:
One factor I might say, as a result of it’s all the time simple for folks to criticise the police, the police implement the legal guidelines of the land that we as legislators present. So if we’re not getting the stability proper then that’s one thing that all of us have to take a look at and take into account … If the police are implementing issues that we expect are a waste of time or a distraction from extra vital issues, that’s on us to kind out.
On the At this time programme, about an hour later, Streeting went even additional, implying that hate speech legal guidelines have been too strict. He mentioned they’d “unintended penalties” and that MPs have been “fairly anxious” about how they have been being enforced.He instructed the programme:
I’m very glad that we dwell in a rustic the place we come down like a tonne of bricks on racism and discrimination. That’s the proper factor to do … There have all the time been authentic boundaries with regards to hate speech, which is about defending others from hurt.
Generally these boundaries and people traces are blurred, and we’re speaking shades of gray, quite than black and white. That’s why that is sophisticated. It’s sophisticated for legislators, and it’s arduous for the police generally, as a result of they they’ve to use the regulation as it’s written, not the regulation as generally it was supposed.
And actually, that is why generally when we’ve debates in parliament, it may be fairly difficult when campaigners are saying vote for this clause or that clause, as a result of usually folks legislate with good intentions, however in addition they should be conscious of unintended penalties.
And I believe we’re all, let’s be sincere, fairly anxious about a few of the instances we’ve seen within the media, or proceed by the courts, of what folks have mentioned on-line the place you assume, was that actually what parliament supposed once they handed these legal guidelines?
Streeting might have been referring to the Lucy Connolly case, which Nigel Farage is anticipated to debate when he testifies on Capitol Hill later.It was not clear from Streeting’s interview whether or not the well being secretary was reflecting issues felt extra broadly in authorities, or whether or not he was simply freelancing. Fairly probably it was the latter. Streeting is far more inclined than different ministers to really reply questions in interviews, and say what he thinks. Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper (who as dwelling secretary, not like Streeting, is definitely accountable for regulation and order coverage) haven’t talked about the necessity to revise hate speech legal guidelines.However Streeting additionally has really feel for the place the political debate is heading. If ministers weren’t excited about revising hate speech legal guidelines, they could be a bit extra inclined to have that debate now.ShareUpdated at 05.13 EDTKey eventsShow key occasions onlyPlease activate JavaScript to make use of this featureLib Dems urge Badenoch to expel Liz Truss from Tory occasion after she requires Trump-style ‘revolution’ in UKThe Liberal Democrats have urged Kemi Badenoch to expel Liz Truss from the Conservative occasion after the previous PM known as for a Trump-style “revolution” within the UK.In an interview with Sky’s Wilfred Frost for his Grasp Investor podcast, Truss mentioned:
There’s little doubt we’ve misplaced our approach. However I believe what is occurring now in Britain – the folks at the moment are realizing how dangerous the scenario is, and I believe there’s going to be large strain for institutional change on this nation, and what we want [is similar] to Trump delivering the revolution within the US. That’s what we want, and I believe that may occur.
In response, Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy chief, mentioned:
We already know what a Liz Truss revolution seems to be like, and persons are nonetheless paying for it each month of their mortgages.
We needs to be taking no lectures on what our nation wants from a former PM who crashed the economic system in 44 days, leaving households paying the value in the midst of a value of residing disaster.
Kemi Badenoch ought to present some management and revoke Truss’s membership from the Conservative occasion for wanting to show Britain right into a Trump tribute act.
ShareUnder-16s in England to be banned from shopping for power drinksUnder-16s in England might be banned from shopping for power drinks corresponding to Pink Bull and Monster as a result of they gasoline weight problems, trigger sleep issues and depart them unable to pay attention, Denis Campbell reviews.Right here is the press launch on this from the Division of Well being and Social Care.Speaking in regards to the proposal on BBC Breakfast this morning, Wes Streeting, the well being secretary, mentioned one excessive caffeine power drink can comprise as a lot sugar as 4 cans of Coke. He went on:
You’ll be able to see the affect on the well being, the focus, the educational, and that’s the reason we’re performing.
And … to ensure that this works not simply in precept however in observe, we’re doing a brief, sharp, 12-week session with companies, studying from these retailers which can be already doing it about the way it’s working in observe, in order that we are able to increase to all retailers doing this with them, quite than to them …
We promised to do that by the top of this parliament, however in observe, it will are available quite a bit sooner.
ShareStreeting suggests hate speech legal guidelines needs to be revised, saying they’ve had ‘unintended penalties’On the Downing Road foyer briefing yesterday the PM’s spokesperson was reluctant to remark instantly on the arrest of Graham Linehan. However he did say that Keir Starmer thought the police needs to be specializing in “delinquent behaviour, shoplifting, avenue crime, in addition to lowering severe violent crimes like knife crime and violence in opposition to girls”. The Every day Telegraph has interepreted that as an assault on the Met.Telegraph splash {Photograph}: Every day TelegraphWes Streeting, the well being secretary, was on the media spherical this morning and in some respects he adopted the identical line. Requested in regards to the arrest, he instructed Instances Radio:
I believe the prime minister and the house secretary have been very clear that with the regulation and order challenges we’ve acquired in our nation, we wish to see folks being stored secure by policing streets, not simply policing tweets.
However Streeting additionally made a unique argument, mentioning that the police have been solely implementing legal guidelines handed by parliament and that, if MPs felt their actions have been extreme, they wanted to vary the regulation. He instructed Instances Radio:
One factor I might say, as a result of it’s all the time simple for folks to criticise the police, the police implement the legal guidelines of the land that we as legislators present. So if we’re not getting the stability proper then that’s one thing that all of us have to take a look at and take into account … If the police are implementing issues that we expect are a waste of time or a distraction from extra vital issues, that’s on us to kind out.
On the At this time programme, about an hour later, Streeting went even additional, implying that hate speech legal guidelines have been too strict. He mentioned they’d “unintended penalties” and that MPs have been “fairly anxious” about how they have been being enforced.He instructed the programme:
I’m very glad that we dwell in a rustic the place we come down like a tonne of bricks on racism and discrimination. That’s the proper factor to do … There have all the time been authentic boundaries with regards to hate speech, which is about defending others from hurt.
Generally these boundaries and people traces are blurred, and we’re speaking shades of gray, quite than black and white. That’s why that is sophisticated. It’s sophisticated for legislators, and it’s arduous for the police generally, as a result of they they’ve to use the regulation as it’s written, not the regulation as generally it was supposed.
And actually, that is why generally when we’ve debates in parliament, it may be fairly difficult when campaigners are saying vote for this clause or that clause, as a result of usually folks legislate with good intentions, however in addition they should be conscious of unintended penalties.
And I believe we’re all, let’s be sincere, fairly anxious about a few of the instances we’ve seen within the media, or proceed by the courts, of what folks have mentioned on-line the place you assume, was that actually what parliament supposed once they handed these legal guidelines?
Streeting might have been referring to the Lucy Connolly case, which Nigel Farage is anticipated to debate when he testifies on Capitol Hill later.It was not clear from Streeting’s interview whether or not the well being secretary was reflecting issues felt extra broadly in authorities, or whether or not he was simply freelancing. Fairly probably it was the latter. Streeting is far more inclined than different ministers to really reply questions in interviews, and say what he thinks. Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper (who as dwelling secretary, not like Streeting, is definitely accountable for regulation and order coverage) haven’t talked about the necessity to revise hate speech legal guidelines.However Streeting additionally has really feel for the place the political debate is heading. If ministers weren’t excited about revising hate speech legal guidelines, they could be a bit extra inclined to have that debate now.ShareUpdated at 05.13 EDTAutumn funds to happen on 26 November, Treasury announcesRichard PartingtonRichard Partington is the Guardian’s senior economics correspondent.Rachel Reeves’s autumn funds will happen on 26 November, the Treasury has introduced, amid mounting hypothesis over tax will increase.With the federal government underneath strain on the economic system, the chancellor has beforehand mentioned measures designed to reboot development would type the idea of her extremely anticipated tax and spending plans.The late November funds date will give Reeves time to arrange the bottom for potential tax adjustments, elevating the prospect of a high-stakes occasion convention season as Labour heads to Liverpool on the finish of September.Reeves is known to have been exploring a number of revenue-raising measures over the summer season months amid concern that rising borrowing prices, a sluggish development outlook, increased inflation and welfare U-turns might expose a shortfall within the authorities funds price as much as £40bn.The chancellor and the prime minister have, nonetheless, dedicated to sticking to Labour’s manifesto promise to not elevate taxes on “working folks”, together with by revenue tax, nationwide insurance coverage and VAT.Reeves has come underneath strain from leftwing Labour MPs and campaigners to contemplate introducing a wealth tax. Whereas the chancellor has privately dominated out such a step, she has been exploring choices for elevating more cash from wealthier taxpayers, together with adjustments to capital beneficial properties tax, in addition to inheritance and property levies.Saying the date of the funds, the Treasury mentioned Reeves had commissioned the Workplace for Funds Accountability to arrange forecasts for the economic system and public funds. The chancellor should give the impartial watchdog 10 weeks’ discover.There are hopes within the Treasury that information from Britain’s economic system might enhance earlier than funds day, serving to the chancellor to strike a extra upbeat tone after a troublesome first yr in energy for Labour.Reeves may gain advantage from up to date Worldwide Financial Fund forecasts at its annual assembly in Washington in mid-October.ShareNigel Farage to testify about On-line Security Act at US Home of RepresentativesGood morning. It’s the first PMQs since July, and with the federal government set to announce the date of the funds right this moment (Wednesday 26 November, if HuffPost UK is correct), you’d count on Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch to get caught right into a debate in regards to the economic system, and taxation.But it surely may find yourself as a free speech day at Westminster, because of the conflation of two associated points.First, Nigel Farage, the Reform UK chief, is in Washington the place he’s giving proof to the Home judiciary committee on “Europe’s Risk to American Speech and Innovation”. The committee needs to speak in regards to the On-line Security Act, which is opposed by American tech corporations who concern it should result in them dealing with extreme fines, and even jail sentences, for not complying with UK content material laws deemed unnecessarily strict within the US.And, second, the arrest yesterday of Graham Linehan, the Irish comedy author, by 5 law enforcement officials at Heathrow over anti-trans posts on social media has reignited the controversy about hate speech legal guidelines within the UK, and whether or not they’re being enforced too rigorously by the police.Linehan was arrested on suspicion of inciting violence – which is nothing to do with the On-line Security Act – however the two points are sure to be linked, not least by Farage.In line with a report by Harry Cole within the Solar, in written proof to the Home judiciary committee forward of right this moment’s listening to Farage argued that Britain is now topic to an “intolerant and authoritarian censorship regime”. Farage mentioned:
On the query of civil liberties, Britain has, sadly, now misplaced her approach.
I’ll do my half, as a participant in UK democracy, to assist our nation discover its approach again to the standard freedoms which have lengthy sure collectively our two nations in friendship. Within the meantime, Congress ought to draw shiny traces: British free speech guidelines, relevant to Britons, are made in Britain, and American speech guidelines, relevant to Individuals, are made in America.
Someplace on this planet of ours, innovators should stay free to construct the following technology of platforms with out being hamstrung by intolerant and authoritarian censorship regimes which can be alien to each American and historically British values. Proper now, that place is America. These of us within the UK will do what we are able to to make Britain such a spot as effectively.
Cole says Farage has additionally prompt that the US ought to use “diplomacy and commerce” (ie, the specter of sanctions) to withstand UK and EU legal guidelines that threaten American tech corporations. This might open Farage as much as the cost of performing in opposition to the nationwide curiosity, however it’s not clear but how far he’ll push this within the listening to.Clearly, if the Home judiciary committtee is de facto anxious about threats to “American speech”, you may argue that it will do higher investigating a White Home administration that deports college students who criticise Israel, insists on checking folks’s social media posts earlier than it permits them into the nation, makes use of bogus authorized challenges to extort cash from media organisations which have criticised the president and bans journalists from the press pool for calling the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of Mexico. However the Republican-led committee doesn’t appear too bothered about all that.And, if Reform UK is severe about free speech, it will be good to listen to Farage requested about Reform-led Nottinghamshire county council refusing to speak to the Nottingham Put up due to its vital media protection. That’s not more likely to be on the agenda in Washington both. However it could get a point out at PMQs.Right here is the agenda for the day.10.30am: Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, provides proof to the Lords structure committee on the rule of regulation.Midday: Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs.Afternoon: John Swinney, Scotland’s first minister, makes an announcement to MSPs at Holyrood about Gaza.Afternoon: Stamer has a gathering together with his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sánchez, in Downing Road.3pm: Nigel Farage, the Reform UK chief, provides proof to the Home of Consultant’s judiciary committee in Washington about freedom of speech within the UK.If you wish to contact me, please publish a message beneath the road when feedback are open (usually between 10am and 3pm for the time being), or message me on social media. I can’t learn all of the messages BTL, however for those who put “Andrew” in a message geared toward me, I’m extra more likely to see it as a result of I seek for posts containing that phrase.If you wish to flag one thing up urgently, it’s best to make use of social media. You’ll be able to attain me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has given up posting from its official accounts on X, however particular person Guardian journalists are there, I nonetheless have my account, and for those who message me there at @AndrewSparrow, I’ll see it and reply if essential.I discover it very useful when readers level out errors, even minor typos. No error is just too small to right. And I discover your questions very fascinating too. I can’t promise to answer to all of them, however I’ll attempt to reply to as many as I can, both BTL or generally within the weblog.ShareUpdated at 04.27 EDT