Written evidence to be reported to the House

Part of Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 6:00 pm on 16 October 2007.

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Jan Berry: No, what I said was that I think that they have been used very sensibly and sensitively. I think that some of that is because people are scared to use them, because they are not quite sure how to deal with them. For that reason, I think that they have been used sensitively. That might be, if you like, reverse logic. So, whatever power that you give to the police service, you must be very clear about what you expect them to do, because these are very sensitive areas.

I have had to facilitate a dispute between the Christian Police Association and the Gay Police Association over a difference of opinion. If one of those groups were able to say that that was a criminal offence, it would add another dimension to having different views. It is a difficult area. When there is clear incitement for hatred, that needs to be dealt with, but when people are using their right to free speech, that is different.