Petition · past parliament
Prevent police action on free speech issues by better defining terms in UK Law.
Closed
234 signatures
What the petition asks
A man has been arrested in Scotland for posting a joke in bad taste.
We recognise that free speech is one of the most important rights we have, and ask parliament to better define a specific piece of legislation to protect it.
We recognise that free speech is one of the most important rights we have, and ask parliament to better define a specific piece of legislation to protect it.
All speech should be protected to ensure a healthy, open and accepting society, Intent behind statements must be considered.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/127
This piece of legislation should be rewrote to allow any speech to be permitted without fear of police involvement except in cases of incitements of violence, harrassment or targeted bullying, threats etc. Jokes, bad taste or not should never be illegal in a free society and the very idea of such is repugnant.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/21/section/127
This piece of legislation should be rewrote to allow any speech to be permitted without fear of police involvement except in cases of incitements of violence, harrassment or targeted bullying, threats etc. Jokes, bad taste or not should never be illegal in a free society and the very idea of such is repugnant.
Timeline
| 10 May 2016 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 10 Nov 2016 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
234
Status
Closed
Opened
10 May 2016
Closed
10 Nov 2016
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.