Clause 38 — Religious hatred offences

Part of Orders of the Day — Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Bill — [2nd Allotted Day] – in the House of Commons at 3:45 pm on 26 November 2001.

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Photo of Simon Hughes Simon Hughes Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs) 3:45, 26 November 2001

I am not seeking to exaggerate the import of the Bill. I am not seeking to say that the courts will take a wider interpretation as opposed to a narrow interpretation. But no definition of religion is proposed, and this is not something with which the courts are used to dealing. There are one or two other pieces of legislation where there has been a reference to religion, but that is another reason why we must be careful. We have not specified exactly the meaning of the offence.