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When compiling a list of posts that have been censored on X, Benjamin Jones of the Free Speech Union found himself censored for bringing the absurdities of the Online Safety Act to the public’s attention. In this way, the act simultaneously suppresses online content and stifles debate about that suppression.
Georgina Mumford, Spiked, 1st August 2025.
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The consultation for the Working Group on defining Islamophobia/anti-Muslim hatred has now closed. It was extended following pressure from the Free Speech Union. In the group’s terms of reference, explicit reference is made to: “communities that are mistakenly identified as Muslim”.
Hardeep Singh, The Telegraph, 29th July 2025.
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Entirely innocent people, who had said nothing inflammatory or hateful, were caught in the riptide, too. Take Jamie Michael, a former Royal Marine from the Welsh valleys, who was arrested, held in custody for 17 days, sent home on a tag, and all for a Facebook video after Southport in which he called for a public meeting to discuss the threat posed by illegal migration and the need for security at parks and schools to protect children. If he wasn’t one of the few Southport speech criminals who pleaded not guilty, he’d probably still be inside now. In the end, with help from the Free Speech Union, he was acquitted by a jury in just 17 minutes, one for every day he had been in a jail cell. Apparently, his cup of tea hadn’t even had a chance to cool when he and his legal team were rushed back in for the verdict.
Tom Slater, Spiked, 29th July 2025.
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“Given how world-renowned are Shakespeare and Conan Doyle, if someone does steam out in a huff it suggests they need to read more,” said Fraser Hudghton, director of Free Speech Union Scotland.
Catriona Stewart, The Times, 29th July 2025.
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Fraser Hudghton, director of Free Speech Union Scotland, said: “Given how world-renowned are Shakespeare and Conan Doyle, if someone does steam out in the huff it suggests they need to read more.
Ben Borland, Scottish Daily Express, 29th July 2025.
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When the Online Safety Act was making its way through Parliament under the previous Conservative Government, there were few voices opposing it. Aside from a small number of skirmishes within the Conservative Party over the extent of the regulations, the Online Safety Bill was passed with overwhelming cross-party support. Concerns raised by organisations like the Free Speech Union about the threat it posed to freedom of expression were waved away with vague reassurances by the then-Government. Meanwhile, the Labour Party wanted the laws to go even further. Last week’s news suggests that the Labour MPs and those who wanted the Online Safety Act to regulate political speech got their wish, and the reassurances of previous Conservative ministers have crumbled into dust.
Fred de Fossard, The Critic, 29th July 2025.
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The Free Speech Union has now taken up his case, calling it a ‘chilling’ example of democracy being suppressed.
Sam Greenhill, Daily Mail, 28th July 2025.
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A thread on X of examples of what has been censored under the Online Safety Act, collated by Benjamin Jones of the Free Speech Union, has itself been partially censored due to the Online Safety Act. Open, political debate online is now a thing of the past.
Fraser Myers, Spiked, 28th July 2025.
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The Free Speech Union, a pressure group led by the Tory peer Lord Young, said: “If you have a standard X account in the UK – presumably the majority of British users – it appears that you may not be able to see any protest footage that contains violence.”
A screenshot shared by Benjamin Jones, one of the group’s directors, showed a content label in place of one post that said: “Due to local laws, we are temporarily restricting access to this content until X estimates your age.”
The Free Speech Union added that it was aware of at least one post which had been censored that showed an arrest being made.
Nick Gutteridge and Dominic Penna, The Telegraph, 26th July 2025.
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Free Speech Union member Linzi Smith brought the successful legal challenge, with support from the campaign group We Are Fair Cop. It centred on the force’s decision to let officers march in Newcastle’s 2024 Pride in the City parade and to staff a police stall draped in Progress flags, alongside a patrol van repainted in the same colours – all while visibly aligning themselves with the political messaging of the event.
Freddie Attenborough, Conservative Home, 25th July 2025.
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