Thread: Ann Widdecombe has died, murder suspected
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Old Today, 18:47   #54
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Re: Ann Widdecombe has died, murder suspected
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardCoulter View Post
I meant when comparing the UK to some other countries that don't enjoy our level of free speech.
There is no real concept of ‘free speech’; anything you say or post can have ‘consequences’. The sometimes mentioned case of ‘shouting FIRE in a crowded theatre’, if it were to result in panic and deaths, you absolutely would be in legal trouble, both here and in the US, and probably in most jurisdictions.

It’s a case of balance, what would the proverbial ‘average person’ thinks is maybe distasteful but fine, if that’s what they believe. The comments made by the person in question about Ann Widdecombe, at least in my opinion, went well beyond that, if true, then they were disgusting and I would not want such a person working with me, or for an institution that my child may be attending, or being funded by my taxes.

I think, rightly, that ‘free speech’ has to be deliberately vague. This person has, I believe, been charged - presumably will end up in Court and a jury will decide if what they said is OK or not.
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