LONDON, January 14, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Earlier this evening, Home Secretary Theresa May announced that the government will not contest a decision by the House of Lords to remove wording in the Public Order Act that banned "insulting" speech or signage. The statute has been used as a bludgeon to silence politically incorrect speech, mainly against Christians and conservatives, particularly those who had expressed disagreement with homosexuality.
May confirmed tonight that the word “insulting” would be removed from Section 5 of the Public Order Act, as part of the Crime and Courts Bill.

Street preacher Anthony Rollins was arrested simply for saying he believed homosexuality was immoral.
The law in its current form reads: “a person is guilty of an offense if he - (a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior, or disorderly behavior, or (b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting, within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.”
Peers had voted in December 150 to 54 in favor of the change. The government announced that the House of Commons will not be asked to vote on that decision, allowing it to stand.
Campaigners have argued for years that the law had to be changed to counter the “chilling effect” on free speech and civil liberties in general.

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