Freedom of Expression Bill

#Freedom of Expression Bill

#####A

###Bill

#####To

*Amend the Public Order Act 1986, Football (Offences) Act 1991 and Communications Act 2003 to promote and otherwise expand the principle of freedom of expression and make provision to reform communication legislation.*

 

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

 

**1 Amendment of the Public Order Act 1986**

1. Section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986 is hereby repealed in its entirety.

2. For section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, substitute-

 >5 Harassment

 >1. A person is guilty of an offence if, with intent to cause harassment, he-

 >  (a) uses threatening words or behavior, or disorderly behavior, or

 >  (b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening,

 >  thereby causing that or another person harassment.

 >2. It is a defence for the accused to prove-

 >  (a) that he had no reason to believe that there was any person within hearing or sight who was likely to be caused harassment, or

 >  (b) that his conduct was reasonable.

 >3. A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or a a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

 

**2 Amendment of the Football (Offences) Act 1991**

For section 3 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991, substitute-

 > 3 Improper chanting

 >  1. It is an offence to engage or take part in chanting of a threatening nature at a designated football match with the intent to cause harassment or incite violence.

 >  2. For this purpose “chanting” means the repeated uttering of any words or sounds (whether alone or in concert with one more others).

 

**3 Amendment of the Communications Act 2003**

Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 is hereby repealed in its entirety and following sections renumbered accordingly.

 

**4 Extent, commencement and short title**

1. This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.

2. This Act comes into force on the day of royal assent.

3. This Act may be cited as the Freedom of Expression Act 2019.

 

**This Bill was submitted by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Right Honourable /u/cthulhuiscool2 CB OBE MVO MP on behalf of the Libertarian Party UK.**