Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Freedom of Expression (Religion or Belief System) 2025-06-10

10 June 2025 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk

Religion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Nick Timothy raised concerns about freedom of expression (religion or belief system) 2025-06-10 in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the possibility of modern laws being used as de facto blasphemy laws, specifically regarding criticism of religious figures.
  • The last blasphemy trial in the UK occurred in 1977, and there have been no public prosecutions for blasphemy since.
  • A proposed bill aims to prevent sections of the Public Order Act, Communications Act, and Malicious Communications Act from being used to prosecute individuals for blasphemy.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk

I do not believe that Mohammed was a Prophet sent by God. I respect the religious beliefs of others, but I do not mind if Mohammed is satirised, criticised or mocked... The last blasphemy trial took place in 1977, and the state has not brought a public prosecution for blasphemy in more than a century, but now, blasphemy laws are back. I have been advised not to refer to two high-profile cases of people being arrested, charged and prosecuted for causing harassment, alarm or distress to Muslims... This Bill would therefore extend the scope of section 29J to the whole Public Order Act—thus preventing the use of sections 4 and 5 as a de facto blasphemy law—and would apply section 29J also to section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

Other contributors (1)
  • Nick Timothy Con West Suffolk

    I do not believe that Mohammed was a Prophet sent by God. I respect the religious beliefs of others, but I do not mind if Mohammed is satirised, criticised or mocked... The last blasphemy trial took place in 1977, and the state has not brought a public prosecution for blasphemy in more than a century, but now, blasphemy laws are back. I have been advised not to refer to two high-profile cases of people being arrested, charged and prosecuted for causing harassment, alarm or distress to Muslims... This Bill would therefore extend the scope of section 29J to the whole Public Order Act—thus preventing the use of sections 4 and 5 as a de facto blasphemy law—and would apply section 29J also to section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

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