Avon and Somerset Police drop investigation into Christian street preacher who is backed by the White House. Dia Moodley describes it as a "win for free speech", but he should never have been arrested in the first place.
In this week's FSU Member Testimonial, Graham Linehan describes the role the Free Speech Union played in supporting him through his arrest at Heathrow, the dropping of the criminal investigation against him, and the Metropolitan Police's eventual apology.
The Singing Striders, a choir whose invitation to perform at the London Marathon was withdrawn by disability charity Scope over the gender-critical beliefs of its founder Janet Murray, has launched legal action against the charity. Murray and three fellow members are seeking a formal apology and damages, arguing that Scope unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of a belief that is explicitly protected under the Equality Act 2010. Janet joined External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw on this week's episode of the FSU Podcast to discuss her experience.
After a five-month investigation, the Metropolitan Police has issued an unreserved apology to Graham Linehan for his arrest at Heathrow Airport last September, when five armed officers detained him over posts he had made on X expressing gender-critical views. The apology is welcome — but it has taken far too long, and Graham should never have been arrested in the first place.
Starmer bans "right-wing" commentators from entering the UK ahead of the Unite the Kingdom rally.
Big Brother Watch has exposed sharp disparities in arrest rates across constabularies, with some forces making eight times more arrests than their neighbours and detaining people at around twice the national average. Cumbria Police is 30 times more likely to arrest people for speech-related offences to others.
Independent councillor for Sandhurst, John Edwards, is being punished and silenced for telling the truth about an Afghan resettlement hotel scheme in Bracknell. Despite the information already being public, political opponents on the council tried to silence him. He was cleared of all charges after an independent investigation, but the council are after him again. He needs your help.
A survey has shown that one in five councils have introduced bans on swearing and shouting in public. Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) are being used to police "everyday behaviour", according to the Campaign for Freedom in Everyday Life.
The High Court ruling in the case of the University of Sussex v the Office for Students (OfS) will weaken free speech on campus and see litigation rise. Students lose out; lawyers will be the only winners.
Minack Theatre has pulled a production of Lakmé after a US-based Hindu campaigner called it "deeply problematic". The complainant has called for the president and artistic director of Surrey Opera to apologise and undergo "cultural sensitivity training".
Graham Linehan has had his criminal damage conviction overturned following a confrontation with a trans activist outside the Battle of Ideas Festival. A welcome victory — but a case that should never have reached court in the first place.
GCSE pupils are being told in a revision guide for Citizenship studies that Britons have a responsibility "to use freedom of speech but not offend".
