Free speach in th UK

[Yeah Bee]

The ab editor said The UK has no written constitutional right to free speech why is that?

I know they don't have a written constitution but why?

And are there laws protecting civil and democratic rights

[Pinotage]

There is no statute saying what you are allowed to do; the assumption is that if there isn't a law fobidding something then it is legal.

 

As far as speech - (do you mean speech?) I think the only laws concern inciting violence and racial hatred. And someone you slur could sue you for slander 

[Hgrove]

There is a right of expression in the Human Rights Act.

[Sludge]

Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights protects the right to freedom of expression. Before the Human Rights Act 1998 came into force, the right to freedom of expression was a negative one: you were free to express yourself, unless the law otherwise prevented you from doing so. With the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into English and Welsh domestic law, the right to freedom of expression is now expressly guaranteed. However, the right to freedom of expression in Article 10 is not absolute. Interferences with the right to freedom of expression may be permitted if they are prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim and are necessary in a democratic society, that is, satisfy a pressing social need. The legitimate purposes for which freedom of expression can be limited are:
(1) National security, territorial integrity or public safety.
(2) The prevention of disorder or crime.
(3) The protection of health or morals.
(4) The protection of the reputation or rights of others.
(5) The prevention of the disclosure of information received in confidence.
(6) For maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

[Yeah Bee]

If there are rules is it then free.

I especially find the one (3) The protection of health or morals. to be strange is there a morale for everybody

[Hippy]

Yes, Yeah Bee, there is a code of morals for everybody. It is that fundamental essence of right and wrong, and following accepted standards of behaviour without reference to any religious prescription for good and evil.

 

There may be a philosophical argument surrounding right and wrong, and whilst those so interested pursue that on their Olympian heights most of us are happy to get along with each other without too much friction and exploitation.

[cruthinboy]

Free speech in the UK??? Ask Nick Griffin!

[Peter Pedant]

It is kinda different yeah bee in the UK. perhaps because we dont have a written constitution, we are more aware of attacks on freedoms.

Today, their lordships have given an opinion on the legality of detention without trial in terrorist cases, basically telling the govt they are wrong in a poncey way, because they are Lords

Lord Steyn also gave a speech to the American bar saying he thought that detention at Guantanamo is unlawful. Not an awful lot happened but that  rather pointed to what would happen in paragraph 2.

This is in contrast to written guarantees about due process and so on in the American consitution and the fact that a few hundred people have been detained without trial at an American base in Cuba, and the Supreme Court saying, erm the law doesnt apply to them.

(The Queen's writ runs in UK bases abroad just before you ask)