'I will gag the hate clerics': Cameron

[cronus]

Obviously this screams "knee-jerk".

Single cases make bad laws. But this is something that Cameron might see as his Falklands factor and it could be if he plays it right?

[Svartalf]

It's probably just a matter of time before someone (preferably in the House of Commons) points out that utterances by extremist Muslims - be they clerics or no - tend get treated far more lightly than anti-Muslim sentiments. The application of existing laws does indeed seem to be very unbalanced.

Similarly, the EDL are not a banned group.

But for How long?

[Pappa]

It's probably just a matter of time before someone (preferably in the House of Commons) points out that utterances by extremist Muslims - be they clerics or no - tend get treated far more lightly than anti-Muslim sentiments. The application of existing laws does indeed seem to be very unbalanced.

Similarly, the EDL are not a banned group.

But for How long?

I haven't watch all that much news over the past week, but it doesn't seem as though there are any noises coming from the government which would suggest they're planning on doing anything about the EDL.

[JimC]

Obviously this screams "knee-jerk".

And perhaps also that the existing framework concerning hate speech that many posters have alluded to has not been used effectively; rather than admit that, he needs to be seen to be doing something...

Anything...

Having said that, I'm not opposed to penalties being given to muslim clerics who are advocating violence against others, in whatever sense. Fuck 'em!

[Tyrannical]

So far the police have only been used to arrest the likes of the EDL, while used to protect the Muslims during their hate filled marches.

[Pappa]

I just read that our incitement laws were abolished in 2007 and replaced with "encouraging or assisting a crime".

[JimC]

I just read that our incitement laws were abolished in 2007 and replaced with "encouraging or assisting a crime".

Preaching violent jihad is surely doing just that...

[Pappa]

I just read that our incitement laws were abolished in 2007 and replaced with "encouraging or assisting a crime".

Preaching violent jihad is surely doing just that...

Indeed.

[Tyrannical]

I just read that our incitement laws were abolished in 2007 and replaced with "encouraging or assisting a crime".

Preaching violent jihad is surely doing just that...

Indeed.

And the police protect them while they do it.

[Feck]

Just follow the example of Muhammed 'the perfect man' and have them killed

[Audley Strange]

I just read that our incitement laws were abolished in 2007 and replaced with "encouraging or assisting a crime".

Preaching violent jihad is surely doing just that...

Indeed.

And the police protect them while they do it.

You make a very repetitive point.

[mistermack]

It's very hard to accurately word a law on speech crime.

What could "encouraging a crime" actually mean? If I said " fuck Cameron " am I inciting someone to sexually assault the prime minister? And does it make a difference if someone actually does do what I urged?

For instance, if I said "someone ought to give so-and-so a good hiding, that's one thing. But what if someone DID then give them a good hiding. Does that affect the seriousness of my crime? Even though I was being rhetorical?

In the end, you have to write the law a bit vaguely, and leave it to a court to decide the individual case.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I demand free speech for anyone I agree with.

[MrJonno]

Incompetent organisations like the EDL don't get banned they get infiltrated by the police through to be honest I'm more concerned about UKIP. They have real sources and a few brain cells between them

[cronus]

Incompetent organisations like the EDL don't get banned they get infiltrated by the police through to be honest I'm more concerned about UKIP. They have real sources and a few brain cells between them

UKIP get in the Muslamics are gonna get real heat.