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Pamela Paresky speaks with former Quillette editor Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union and recently appointed member of the House of Lords, about the current state of free expression in the United Kingdom.
Pamela Paresky, Toby Young, Quillette, 4th July 2025.
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The Free Speech Union’s director, Toby Young, later described Ms Bradshaw’s “aggressive intolerance” towards alternative views on gender as “typical of those captured by gender ideology.” He defended the TUV MLA, Timothy Gaston, a trans-sceptical member of the committee, who repeatedly clashed with the chair, as she seemingly tried to prevent him from expressing his views.
Owen Polley, The Critic, 2nd July 2025.
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With the Free Speech Union’s (FSU) help, Cooke is now seeking to challenge the Federation’s decision in the High Court. As an elected representative, he cannot bring a claim at an employment tribunal, which is normally the route for workplace free speech claims. His only legal recourse is the costly and complex process of judicial review, which offers no guarantee of reimbursement even if he wins.
Dr Frederick Attenborough, TCW, 1st July 2025.
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This is why the Free Speech Union (FSU) recently wrote to deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. In particular, the FSU is alaramed about the government’s new ‘Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred and Islamophobia’ – a miniature Labour quango tasked with articulating an ‘official’ definition of Islamophobia. It should concern anyone concerned about free speech.
Freddie Attenborough, Spiked, 30th June 2025.
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With the support of the Free Speech Union he is challenging the process in the courts and is looking to join forces with Rick Prior, the former chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who was sacked in similar circumstances for comments he made in the media.
Martin Evans, The Telegraph, 29th June 2025.
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It is also facing a potential legal challenge from the Free Speech Union if the definition is deemed too wide.
Geraldine Scott, The Times, 27th June 2025.
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The Free Speech Union (FSU) said the process would rubber-stamp a controversial definition of Islamophobia, which Labour would then adopt. The definition, which treats Islamophobia as a type of racism, has been criticised for being too widely drawn.
The FSU has written to the Deputy Prime Minister expressing concern the new definition is being drawn up behind closed doors.
Charles Hymas, The Telegraph, 26th June 2025.
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The Free Speech Union estimates that roughly 65 people every day are recorded as having committed a NCHI. Around 30 people are thought to be arrested daily for what they say online. It has become frighteningly commonplace for people to receive a knock at the door over memes or even private messages, being questioned by the police or having their details put into databases that could damage the rest of their lives
Lauren Smith, The European Conservative, 25th June 2025.
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At its core is a principle that the Free Speech Union pressed for during the OfS’s consultation on the draft guidance: that speech is presumptively lawful unless specifically prohibited by statute or common law. The guidance confirms that internal policies, institutional values, or codes of conduct — including equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) frameworks — do not have the force of law and cannot justify restrictions on otherwise lawful expression.
Freddie Attenborough, The Critic, 24th June 2025.
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Yet there is reason for optimism. More and more artists, institutions and organisations are beginning to speak up. There is an increasing recognition of the need to protect the freedoms that make the arts what they are. FITA’s work, alongside the efforts of the Free Speech Union and others, is helping to create a growing movement that is committed to defending artistic freedom.
Rosie Kay, Spiked, 24th June 2025.
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