It is an operational matter for the police to determine whether and how to investigate all incidents reported to them. The Crown Prosecution Service will also apply the Code for Crown Prosecutors to ensure a prosecution will not proceed where a complaint is deemed to be frivolous. Decisions to prosecute are furthermore subject to consideration under the Freedom of Expression defence contained in Section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4582", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-09T16:56:51.693Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-02-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Religious Hatred"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 February (HL727), what consideration they have given to requiring allegations of an offence of stirring up religious hatred to be supported by two witnesses, in order to restrict frivolous complaints.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1807", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vinson"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Vinson"} ], "uin" : "HL1822"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1176221", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1176221/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
It is an operational matter for the police to determine whether to investigate all incidents reported to them. When investigating allegations of hate crime it is for the police to apply the relevant legislation, including the freedom of expression defence contained in section 29J of the Public Order Act 1986.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-02-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-02-14T11:55:22.223Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Hate Crime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 3 February (HL187), whether it is possible that a hearsay remark, if construed by a bystander as offensive, could be reported as a hate crime and the perpetrator interviewed by the police as a result; and if so, what steps they intend to take to protect freedom of speech.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1807", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vinson"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Vinson"} ], "uin" : "HL1341"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1172796", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1172796/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Once a hate crime has been reported it is for the police to investigate whether a hate crime has been committed, in line with the relevant legislation, and to refer cases to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether there should be a charge.<\/p>
In order for a crime to be charged and prosecuted as a hate crime, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) uses the legal definitions contained in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (CDA 1998) and the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (CJA 2003).<\/p>
The CPS assesses each case on its individual facts and circumstances. Prosecutions can only be brought in line with legislation and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.<\/p>
The CPS legal guidance on hate crime recognises the right to freedom of expression set out in Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The legal guidance makes it clear that it is not only speech which is well-received and popular that is protected but also speech which is potentially offensive, shocking or disturbing. The CPS seeks to balance the right to freedom of speech and expression against the duty of the state to act proportionately.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-02-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-02-03T17:03:00.957Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Younger of Leckie on 21 January (HL187), what criteria they use to assess what constitutes a \u201clegitimate criticism\u201d of a religion when investigating any incident that has been reported by someone who has perceived it to \u201cbe motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person\u2019s religion or perceived religion\u201d; and what steps they take to ensure freedom of expression is upheld.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1807", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vinson"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Vinson"} ], "uin" : "HL727"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1169331", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1169331/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right. It is important that all have the right to speak freely, and make legitimate criticisms, and that a strong legal framework provides the appropriate space to do so. Equally, hatred or prejudice against an individual because of their religion will not be tolerated.<\/p>
The Crown Prosecution Service uses definitions agreed with the National Police Chiefs' Council to identify religiously motivated incidents/crimes: \u201cAny incident/crime which is perceived by the victim or any other person to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person's religion or perceived religion." This allows space for legitimate criticism.<\/p>
Under the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006, which covers the offences of stirring up religious hatred, there is a freedom of expression defence contained in Section 29J, which confirms that nothing in the Act "... prohibits or restricts discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult, or abuse of particular religions, or the beliefs or practices of its adherents."<\/p>
The Government will continue to protect people\u2019s legitimate rights and freedoms whilst also remaining committed to tackling hate crime.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-01-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-01-21T16:16:07.997Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "7"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Housing, Communities and Local Government"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Religion: Freedom of Expression"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that criticism of any religion is not regarded as a hate crime.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1807", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vinson"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Vinson"} ], "uin" : "HL187"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 4, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }