FSU campaigns and legal challenges
The Free Speech Union has covered 104 stories on this topic. Browse our coverage below.
22 July 2026
Germany's dystopian free speech crisis
German citizens are being fined and threatened with prison for memes, nicknames and mockery of politicians, as speech laws meant to guard democracy are turned against ordinary political comment.
30 June 2026
Government brings forward conversion therapy ban which will criminalise parents, therapists and religious leaders for speaking with gender-confused children
The Government has brought forward a draft bill to ban conversion therapy practices that is so broad it could criminalise the teachings of religious leaders and the well-intentioned conversations between parents, therapists, and gender-confused children. The Free Speech Union has launched a petition calling on Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham to drop this assault on free speech.
19 June 2026
Parallel legislation to tackle SLAPPs introduced in both Houses of Parliament
Two parallel private members' bills targeting SLAPPs — strategic lawsuits used by wealthy litigants to silence journalists, campaigners, and whistleblowers — have been introduced in both Houses of Parliament this week. Baroness Stowell of Beeston and Sir John Whittingdale MP are behind the respective bills, which would give judges the power to dismiss such cases at the earliest possible stage. The FSU welcomes the move.
15 June 2026
Lord Ranger sues Prime Minister over removal of CBE in free speech row
The Conservative peer Lord Ranger is suing the Prime Minister after the Forfeiture Committee — a shadowy Whitehall body — stripped him of his CBE following a House of Lords standards ruling that he had harassed journalist Poonam Joshi on X. His lawyers argue the removal was disproportionate and will chill free speech. The FSU, which has supported others who have lost honours through the same opaque process, warns that the Government's Removal of the Peerages Bill threatens to extend that chilling effect to the Lords itself.
2 June 2026
South Wales Police enforcing its own Islamophobia definition that will have a chilling effect on free speech
South Wales Police has told officers to log anti-Islam conversations that stray beyond what it deems "legitimate" — a subjective threshold that hands individual officers the power to determine acceptable speech and could see lawful expression recorded as an anti-social behaviour incident, potentially appearing in DBS checks. The Free Speech Union has written to the force demanding it withdraw the guidance, warning of judicial review if it refuses.
21 May 2026
Six bills in the King's Speech that threaten free speech
Max Thompson surveys the six bills in the King's Speech most likely to threaten free speech and civil liberties in the parliamentary session ahead.
20 May 2026
Choir launches legal action against disability charity Scope after cancellation over gender-critical views
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.
15 May 2026
Independent Councillor and FSU Member Silenced and Punished for Telling the Truth About Four-Star Hotel Afghan Resettlement Scheme
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.
11 May 2026
Councils that are banning shouting and swearing are threatening free speech
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.
28 April 2026
The neglect of free speech is a national embarrassment
FSU Campaigns Officer Max Thompson writes in The Telegraph that Britain’s failure to implement the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act is a national embarrassment, with the country now ranking 64th in the world for academic freedom — below Burkina Faso and Malawi.
23 April 2026
Former Justice Secretary Warns That Scrapping Jury Trials Risks the Safety of Judges and Judicial Independence
Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland warns that David Lammy’s jury trial reforms will expose judges to physical attacks and undermine judicial independence.
20 April 2026
Government Finally Addresses Free Speech Crisis at Universities
The FSU welcomes Bridget Phillipson’s decision to introduce the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act’s complaints scheme — a partial victory following the legal challenge the FSU brought against the Education Secretary’s decision to pause the Act.
16 March 2026
The Free Speech Union launches legal challenge against Government over Islamophobia definition
The Free Speech Union has launched a legal challenge against the Government's "anti-Muslim hostility" definition, warning it threatens free speech and risks creating a back-door Muslim blasphemy law.
4 February 2026
Jazz lecturer 'forced out' after challenging critical race theory
Jazz lecturer Martin Speake was effectively cancelled after questioning critical race theory — now he's taking Trinity Laban to an employment tribunal with FSU's support.
19 December 2025
Gender-critical former police officer takes the Home Secretary to court
6 December 2025
The Free Speech Union has fought over 5,000 cases
3 December 2025
Help us save jury trials - sign our petition
14 November 2025
Building a Culture of Free Expression on Campus
30 October 2025
The next stage in the fight against NCHIs
3 September 2025
Thanet backs down after FSU challenge to ‘free speech gagging’ order
14 August 2025
FSU launches legal challenge over Thanet’s ‘free speech gagging’ order
24 July 2025
The rise and rise of debanking
24 June 2025
‘Lucy’s Bill’ – a crucial chance to challenge sentencing injustice
12 June 2025
No laughing matter: Lord Young warns Employment Rights Bill could chill live performance
27 May 2025
FSU victory: Bar Standards Board drops controversial “advance EDI” duty
22 May 2025
Lord Young tables amendments to safeguard free expression of political views at work
11 May 2025
FSU backs legal action after ex-officer arrested over ‘thought crime’ tweet
10 May 2025
Help firefighter Dafydd Roberts fight back after a devastating legal injustice.
5 May 2025
FSU threatens judicial review over Telegraph takeover by Abu Dhabi
28 April 2025
FSU threatens judicial review over Telegraph takeover by Abu Dhabi
21 April 2025
French philosopher to challenge UK entry ban with Free Speech Union support
2 April 2025
Reform UK donor joins Free Speech Union after OBE threat
21 March 2025
‘Boob God’ plastic surgeon in legal battle with former patient
20 March 2025
Why won’t Labour stand up for free speech?
18 March 2025
Police Federation sued by London branch chairman in free speech row
18 February 2025
Help protect councillors’ free speech — respond to the government consultation
17 February 2025
FSU attempts to contact Koran burning suspect amid fears of ‘blasphemy law by the back door’
14 February 2025
FSU criticises “upset” students who “can’t sit through” a triggering Shakespeare play
18 January 2025
Phillipson faces pressure to revive free speech law before next academic year
18 December 2024
FSU member fighting for free speech in the arts – show your support!
17 December 2024
Winter Pride event called off after FSU writes to Welsh Pride event
13 December 2024
Bromley Council adopts free speech protections for councillors
11 December 2024
In defence of Connie Shaw
6 December 2024
Gender-critical student suspended from university radio after posting interview with detransitioner
28 November 2024
Woman faces police interview after calling man she says threatened her family a ‘pikey’
18 November 2024
Teenage girl banned over transgender remark appeals with help of group assisting Allison Pearson
5 November 2024
FSU protecting members’ online speech in wake of Southport mass stabbing revelations
5 November 2024
Starmer and his cabinet of killjoys go in studs-up on football banter
3 November 2024
Education Secretary faces court over shelving free speech laws
3 November 2024
FSU reports university to watchdog after Vice-Chancellor pushed out for holding right-wing views
25 October 2024
FSU a signatory on letter to Prime Minister expressing “grave concerns” over planned conversion therapy ban
25 October 2024
Oxford Chancellorship: FSU and AFFS update best free speech candidate list
24 October 2024
FSU offers its support to suspended Buckingham University Vice-Chancellor
13 October 2024
Oxford Chancellorship: FSU and AFFS recommend best free speech candidates
10 October 2024
FSU intervenes after “mob rule tactics” force cancellation of ex-Home Secretary’s Cambridge speech
3 October 2024
FSU writes to Durham University after student society blocked from Freshers’ Fair
2 October 2024
UK Court of Appeal confirms date for hearing involving the FSU
19 September 2024
Free Speech Union sister group kicked out of Brighton pub after saying children shouldn’t be taught trans ideology
7 September 2024
Government faces High Court showdown with its free speech tsar
3 September 2024
FSU research reveals police log more non-crime hate incidents despite crackdown
31 August 2024
FSU writes to Bank of England over staff instruction that not sharing pronouns is a “microaggression”
27 August 2024
FSU legal action forces admission that Government dropped free speech law after universities feared for China interests
24 August 2024
Free speech victory for the FSU as councils shelve ‘busybody charters’
23 August 2024
FSU writes to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over prejudicial “criminals” tweet
23 August 2024
Labour’s clamp down on free speech – use our campaign tool to write to your MP
22 August 2024
FSU writes to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper over prejudicial “criminals” tweet
10 August 2024
FSU threatens legal action over Labour-run council plans to fine people £100 for swearing in street
2 August 2024
FSU threatens judicial review over Labour Government’s decision to scrap freedom of speech law
1 August 2024
FSU threatens judicial review over Thanet County Council’s speech restrictive PSPO
1 August 2024
Take action – help rescue the Freedom of Speech Act
28 July 2024
Government declares war on free speech, FSU to launch legal fightback
1 July 2024
FSU granted permission to intervene in two separate Court of Appeal cases
1 July 2024
FSU member refuses to be bullied by Liberal Democrat MP
1 July 2024
FSU steps in to defend pub customers guilty of having a little too much to think
19 June 2024
Free speech and the Reform Manifesto 2024
13 June 2024
Free speech and the Labour Party Manifesto 2024
12 June 2024
Free speech and the Conservative Party Manifesto 2024
11 June 2024
Free speech and the Liberal Democrat manifesto 2024
25 May 2024
FSU supporting academics after the BMJ rejected their research papers “because of their views on the trans debate”
24 May 2024
FSU writes to Leader of the House of Commons over flawed conspiracy guide for MPs
19 May 2024
FSU member Eleanor Frances “forced out” of Whitehall over gender critical beliefs
2 May 2024
Banned and spied on for her beliefs — FSU member launches legal action against Newcastle United Football Club!
2 May 2024
Uphold academic freedom and call off investigation into ‘race realism’ researcher, say eminent colleagues
24 April 2024
The human cost of cancel culture
15 April 2024
FSU supporting families to fight end-of-life gagging orders in Supreme Court
5 April 2024
De-banking victory for the FSU as government amends UK Payment Services Regulations
5 April 2024
FSU establishes free speech hotline in response to Scotland’s new hate crime law
5 April 2024
Humza Yousaf says Police Scotland is ‘reviewing’ guidance on NCHIs following the intervention by Murdo Fraser and the FSU
3 April 2024
Fight the Scottish Hate Crime Bill, halt the rise of the Orwellian non-crime hate incident
28 March 2024
Fight the Scottish Hate Crime Act
25 March 2024
MSP threatens legal action against Police Scotland over ‘hate incident’ tweet claim, with the support of the FSU
12 March 2024
Why Bromley has become a free speech council
8 March 2024
Banning Islamophobia: Blasphemy Law by the Backdoor
7 March 2024
FSU invited to intervene in Supreme Court case
5 March 2024
Gender Conversion Therapy Bill talked out
29 February 2024
Why Lloyd Russell-Moyle’s Conversion Therapy Bill is an Assault on Free Speech
23 February 2024
FSU Writers’ Advisory Council writes to Royal Society of Literature over its failure to publicly support Sir Salman Rushdie
10 February 2024
Why have Newcastle United cancelled a fan for ‘wrongthink’?
6 February 2024
Thousands of football fans may have been secretly investigated by Premier League for their political views
2 February 2024
Football fan banned over gender critical posts after ‘Stasi’ Premier League Investigation
31 January 2024
FSU responds to FCA and PRA consultations on diversity and inclusion proposals
29 January 2024
FSU assisting members including Father Ted writer Graham Linehan to launch two separate legal cases
26 January 2024
Draconian new hate crime bill tops agenda for FSU’s free speech summit
26 January 2024
FSU supporting group including Father Ted writer Graham Linehan to take legal action against Belfast pub in ‘gender critical’ free speech row
