Reform Section 5 - Victory!
On 14 January 2013, the Government agreed to reform Section 5 of the Public Order Act by removing the word “insulting”. The reform gives more protection for free speech. The campaign was supported by a wide coalition of groups including The Christian Institute, the National Secular Society, the Peter Tatchell Foundation and others.
Section 5 news feedKey resources
The Reform Section 5 website- House of Commons debate on The Protection of Freedoms Bill, 10/10/11
Government's consultation on public order policing - Legal opinion by Lord Macdonald of River Glaven QC
- Free speech briefing
The Secrets of Scientology (BBC Documentary) - whyweprotest.net (a website protesting against Scientology)
Section 5 cases
Suppression of Free Speech Anonymous Protest
Cops arrest preacher over Christian beliefs
BBC News: Vogelenzang result
Police tell Christian: it's a crime to say 'homosexuality is a sin'
