30/09/2026
You do not need to agree with what someone says in order to defend their right to say it.
It is a dangerous slope for a nation to be on, if we feel inhibited to speak our mind for fear of criminal proceedings or being "reported" to the authorities.
Is it time for a free speech reset in this country?
Here we go again.
John Cleese — the comedian and national treasure — has been reported to the Government’s counter-extremism programme, Prevent, over his social media posts about Islam.
The ability to criticise, debate, challenge and mock a religion is a fundamental right in Britain. Parliament voted to abolish our blasphemy laws in 2008 — 18 years ago. Yet it appears we now have one for Islam alone.
The official Islamophobia definition — repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — has emboldened those who wish to silence criticism of Islam.
One of John’s posts in question reads: “I personally prefer a culture that does not approve of FGM, child marriage and killing infidels.”
The Islamic website 5Pillars reports that the complainant described John’s posts as “dehumanising and collectively attributing violence and criminality to Muslims”, and assessed the risk as “moderate to high”.
Enough is enough. This madness must stop. We cannot allow an Islam-specific blasphemy law to take root.
We stand with John Cleese and are ready to help him should he need it.
