To not want blasphemy laws in the UK?

[Blueybanditbingochilli]

https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/24516089.sutton-man-61-chanted-who-f-allah-jailed/

Thug sentenced for violent disorder and threatening police, all good.

But the chanting? Maybe I’ve got the wrong end of the stick but I thought criticising religion, even crudely, is permitted in the UK and not a crime so long as it doesn’t stray into harassment or incitement of another crime.

Labour are allegedly considering new legislation around the extent to which people can criticise Islam.

AIBU to think people should have the right to criticise religion (even crudely), and that we should not revert to having blasphemy laws in the UK? I apply this to all religions, including my own, and not just Islam.

Does anyone have access to this article? If so does it shed light on things or is it more hypotheticals?

Labour warned over attempt to define Islamophobia Previous efforts by politicians to adopt a legal term have been labelled an affront to free speech

Ok then.

Please could you provide the supporting evidence I asked for upthread?

It's not what he said it's the way he said it and the situation. He's completely free to criticise any religion he wants if he does so in a civilised manner. Screaming swearing and attacking police is not the right way to go about it.

I don't understand why being convicted for violent disorder makes someone a free speech martyr.

People on here are looking for things that aren't there ans fearmongering with zero evidence.

So a t wo tier law ! Heaven forbid you criticise Islam but say what you like about Christianity and all is well. Screwed up Government. No wonder Starmer doesn't have to pay for his own glasses.

So you've no idea what their plans are but you're worried because a violent thug screaming abuse at police got a jail term and you think that means you won't be able to criticise islam ?

There's already protection against anti semitism - has that law stopped you or anyone else from being able to discuss , for example, how women are treated in the Jewish culture, or what Israel has been doing in Palestine?

Well clearly not because these things are constantly debated in public and private.

Well chanting "who the f* is Allah" was surely part of his overall violent conduct, so relevant to this case? He was neither tried nor convicted of blasphemy.

Blasphemy was abolished as a crime in 2008 (Criminal Justice and Investigation Act?). I don't see it being re-introduced.

The crime is now inciting hatred on account of a person's religion.

Go and google "Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006".

It’s on the CPS website.
He called a police officer a Cnut and said ‘who the f is allah’

Posted too soon.
He was charged with violent disorder and jailed to serve as a deterrent

Neither of the two CPS pages I have found make any mention of the comments David Spring made, nor do they say that these were aggravating factors which contributed to his sentencing.

Please could you link to the page you have?

Why? Because you don’t believe it’s true? The OP linked the newspaper article but here is the CPS link

www.cps.gov.uk/london-south/news/rioters-who-admitted-taking-part-london-unrest-are-sentenced

I will believe it's true when I see the full judgement or detailed sentencing comments, e.g. from the CPS.

That page is giving me a 404 error. Please could you try again?

No, but here’s a screen shot

If any party would do this it would be Labour, I would not be surprised.

Screen shot wouldn’t work either 🙄

"Ms Rayner replied: “A new definition must be given careful consideration so that it comprehensively reflects multiple perspectives and considers potential implications for different communities.
“And we’re actively considering our approach to Islamophobia, including definitions, and we’ll provide further updates on this in due course.”"

So the government are thinking about what to do as Muslims are currently under increased threat, and changing the definition of Islamophobia is just one thing they're contemplating to try and rectify the issue but because it's complicated with lots to take into account they'll update us when they have actually sat down and discussed it. They have to think about these things, it's their job. The Tories would have had to consider it as well if they were still in power.

Personally I don't understand why so many people find it so incredibly difficult to not be racist. If they'd stop being racist, no one would be talking about needing to protect Muslims and possibly needing to change the definition of Islamophobia as it would be a non-issue. So maybe people should just start acting like adults and stop being racist and then voilà, problem solved!

Everyone has a right to not be harassed or judged because of their religion.

I'm Jewish so I know what it's like to feel the need to cover up my identity for my own safety. The last thing I want is another group to feel the need to do the same. It's no way to live.

“Free Speech” does not, and never had done, mean Freedom from Comsuquences. That’s why we have libel laws etc

Finally 😂

Thank you.

That still makes no reference to Mr Spring calling the police officer a "cunt", neither does it reference his comments about Allah. Neither does it say these were aggravating factors which increased his sentencing.

So when you said "it says this on the CPS website", and the OP is claiming Mr Spring was jailed because of his comments, it doesn't really stand up does it.

@Blueybanditbingochilli didn’t you upset the lady with the two disabled kids in the other thread ? Now you are starting on Muslims.

That screenshot doesn't say anything about Spring chanting anything.
It talks about someone else called Notley who got 20 months for violent disorder...and a separate £100 fine for islamophobic chanting

I think the issue is your comprehension skills, not anything that Labour are doing!

When you click on the link and get the 404 error, go up to your browser address bar and delete the final _ after 'sentenced' in the web address (you can't see it in the link given by the PP, but it's there when you click on it) and the page will load.

Edited to add: now that I've managed to access the page, I can see it doesn't mention those specific comments - but they are cited in this local news report: https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/24516089.sutton-man-61-chanted-who-f-allah-jailed/#:~:text=Spring's%20role%20in%20the%20disorder,the%20f***%20is%20Allah%22.

Yes, but the OP was saying that he had been sentenced based on these anti islamic chants. It doesn't say that in the news report - only that he said them.

There doesn't seem to be evidence whatsoever that shouting F Allah was considered to be more serious than his violence, swearing, general thuggery. The OP seems to have made it up

Oh sure, I completely agree - sorry, I must have misread, I thought OP was questioning if he'd insulted the police at all.