In the Media

Articles That Mention the Free Speech Union

Struggling with CRT in the workplace

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In a ground-breaking judgment against workplace cancel culture and for lawful freedom of expression, the Employment Tribunal has ruled that ACAS employee and Free Speech Union member Sean Corby was expressing a legitimate philosophical belief when he challenged Critical Race Theory in his workplace. As such, his belief amounts to a characteristic that will now be afforded protection by Section 10 of the Equality Act 2010.

Freddie Attenborough, The Critic, 4th October 2023.

Barristers warned not to attack judges on social media

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Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, warned that the guidance was “unavoidably imprecise” and open to interpretation.
He questioned the use of the word “gratuitous” and said it was not clear when a “robust response” to a point of view one disagrees with would turn into “harassment”.
He said: “This guidance represents a good-faith effort to balance barristers’ right to freedom of expression with the need to protect the reputation of the profession, but the problem is the language used by the BSB when describing what it has a ‘regulatory interest’ in is unavoidably imprecise and open to interpretation. For instance, what is an acceptable criticism of the justice system and what is ‘gratuitous’? At what point does a robust response to someone with whom you disagree cross the line and become ‘harassment’?”

Will Bolton, The Telegraph, 24th September 2023.

Damages paid to literary editor sacked over “heavy five o’clock shadow” transgender remark

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Karolien Celie, legal officer at the Free Speech Union, said: “Sibyl fought courageously for her right to express her lawfully protected beliefs and we are pleased that the matter is now settled. This outcome is a victory not just for Sibyl but for all gender critical feminists – it serves as an important reminder to businesses to treat all staff, no matter their age or beliefs, fairly and with respect.”

Robert Mendick, The Telegraph, 7th September 2023.

Oxford transgender inclusion policy “stifles free speech”

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The Free Speech Union has written to the college claiming that England’s universities are not directed by law to treat students as though they are bound by the Equality Act. It said the college’s attempt to hold students accountable would “unduly inhibit free speech”. The Free Speech Union, led by the journalist Toby Young, has asked for the trans inclusion statement to be withdrawn or rewritten. Young claimed that under the Equality Act, students are treated as third parties and are not bound by its terms.

James Beal, The Times, 7th September 2023.