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MPs push to abolish blasphemy law Government opposes blasphemy move
(about 3 hours later)
MPs are expected to debate whether to abolish the "outdated" blasphemy law. The government will oppose a move by MPs to abolish the law on blasphemy, Downing Street has said.
Some 27 backbenchers have introduced an amendment to do away with the offence of blasphemous libel when the Criminal Justice Bill returns to the Commons. A spokesman said ministers wanted to consult the Anglican community further before supporting such a change.
The bill, carried over from the last parliamentary session, could also be amended to include government plans to outlaw strikes by prison officers. More than 70 MPs have signed a Commons amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, calling for the offence of blasphemous libel to be scrapped.
And 12 MPs have signed an amendment calling for the creation of no-go areas for prostitution. The government has not ruled out tabling its own amendment in the Lords after talks with the Church of England.
Some Tory MPs are also attempting to change the bill - which returns to the Commons from the last parliamentary session - to include a call for prisoners to serve their full sentences.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Lynne Jones has tabled two amendments to extend the ban on inciting hatred to include transgendered people.
LetterLetter
Liberal Democrat Evan Harris is proposing to abolish the blasphemy law, which is based on decisions made by 19th Century courts. The bill is returning to the Commons from the last parliamentary session and Liberal Democrat Evan Harris is proposing it is altered to abolish the "outdated" blasphemy law, which is based on decisions made by 19th Century courts.
The move comes after leading figures, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, wrote to the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, urging that the legislation should be repealed. The move comes after leading figures, including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, wrote to the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, arguing the legislation was discriminatory as it only covers attacks on Christianity and Church of England beliefs.
The letter argued the law was discriminatory in that it only covers attacks on Christianity and Church of England beliefs.
The blasphemy laws protect belief; they don't protect people Nicholas HytnerTheatre directorThe blasphemy laws protect belief; they don't protect people Nicholas HytnerTheatre director
It said it served "no useful purpose" and offered Christian activists a means to intimidate broadcasters, publishers and performers. The letter said it served "no useful purpose" and offered Christian activists a means to intimidate broadcasters, publishers and performers.
Dr Harris said: "There is cross-party, secular and religious support for confining this unnecessary, discriminatory and censorious law to the history books where it belongs.Dr Harris said: "There is cross-party, secular and religious support for confining this unnecessary, discriminatory and censorious law to the history books where it belongs.
"Neither the Church of England nor the government has given a good reason for the blasphemy law to be retained, so it is time Parliament stood up for free expression and against a religious privilege which protects beliefs instead of people.""Neither the Church of England nor the government has given a good reason for the blasphemy law to be retained, so it is time Parliament stood up for free expression and against a religious privilege which protects beliefs instead of people."
The High Court last month rejected an attempt by a Christian evangelical group to prosecute the director general of the BBC for blasphemy over the screening of the musical Jerry Springer - The Opera.The High Court last month rejected an attempt by a Christian evangelical group to prosecute the director general of the BBC for blasphemy over the screening of the musical Jerry Springer - The Opera.
'Respect''Respect'
Its director, Nicholas Hytner, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What we have now is essentially a secular country based on a common bond of decency which includes free speech.Its director, Nicholas Hytner, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What we have now is essentially a secular country based on a common bond of decency which includes free speech.
"And free speech includes the expectation that there should be mutual respect between those with different beliefs."And free speech includes the expectation that there should be mutual respect between those with different beliefs.
"And I don't believe that the law should address what people believe. The blasphemy laws protect belief; they don't protect people.""And I don't believe that the law should address what people believe. The blasphemy laws protect belief; they don't protect people."
Don Horrocks, of the Evangelical Alliance, agreed that there was "no real argument" for retaining the law, saying: "Everybody knows it's not really going to be used again."Don Horrocks, of the Evangelical Alliance, agreed that there was "no real argument" for retaining the law, saying: "Everybody knows it's not really going to be used again."
But he warned that changing the legislation could "send out a signal" that "gratuitous abuse and offence" is acceptable.But he warned that changing the legislation could "send out a signal" that "gratuitous abuse and offence" is acceptable.
The Criminal Justice Bill is also expected to include government plans to reintroduce powers to ban strikes by prison officers in England and Wales, after a surprise walkout by 20,000 staff last summer. The Criminal Justice Bill is also expected to be altered to include government plans to reintroduce powers to ban strikes by prison officers in England and Wales.
This follows a surprise walkout by 20,000 staff last summer.
The Conservatives, whose 1994 ban on such action was repealed by Labour in 2005 and replaced with a voluntary "no-strike" agreement, said it was a "humiliating U-turn".The Conservatives, whose 1994 ban on such action was repealed by Labour in 2005 and replaced with a voluntary "no-strike" agreement, said it was a "humiliating U-turn".
Another amendment would ban anyone from paying for sexual services in controlled zones, which local authorities and police would identify.Another amendment would ban anyone from paying for sexual services in controlled zones, which local authorities and police would identify.