from Religion Media Centre
The Conservative MP Nick Timothy is introducing a bill in parliament today, to exempt the criticism of religion from harassment laws. It follows the conviction of Hamit Coskun, who burned the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in London, on a religiously aggravated public order offence.
The National Secular Society has said the case revives blasphemy laws.
Nick Timothy’s Ten Minute Rule Bill, the Freedom of Expression (Religion or Belief System) Bill, would make clear that the provision of the Public Order Act does not apply in the case of “discussion, criticism or expressions of antipathy, dislike, ridicule, insult or abuse of particular religions or the beliefs or practices of their adherents”.