Blair: Free speech is qualified

Friday, 16 September 2005 12:00 AM

Tony Blair today defended proposed new anti-terror legislation and insisted a new offence of glorifying terrorism was not an attack on free speech.

Home secretary Charles Clarke yesterday outlined the draft terror bill to be put before parliament this autumn, outlining not only offences of incitement to terrorism but also that of glorifying terrorist acts.

This last proposal prompted serious concern from the Liberal Democrats, while shadow home secretary David Davis said ministers must be "very careful" not to unnecessarily limit free speech or make the definition too wide.

But today the prime minister insisted free speech had "always been qualified by some sense of duty or responsibility" and said it was important to not exaggerate any civil rights implications of anti-terror legislation.

"There will be all sorts of people who say for all sorts for reasons: 'I understand why the terrorists do it and you can sympathise with their motivation.' I profoundly disagree with that but I am not suggesting we make that a criminal offence," he told Today.

"What I am suggesting is that somebody who, in effect, by glorifying is inciting and is saying to people, and particularly impressionable people that this is something you should do."

He insisted "virtually every country in Europe" had toughened up their anti-terror legislation in the wake of attacks such as that on London on July 7th.

And Mr Blair warned foreign nationals: "If when you're here you want to stay here, play by the rules. Play fair. Don't start inciting people to kill other innocent people in Britain."

Speaking about the resolution condemning terrorism adopted by the UN at a summit in New York this week, Mr Blair said it showed a new unity about its members' national security.
And he played down the lack of agreement on the actual definition of terrorism that British diplomats had been pressing for.

"I think this is one of those times when a definitional issue is less important than it really seems. The vast bulk of people can agree on exactly what it means; it means the killing of innocent civilians deliberately," he continued.

Mr Blair added: "I think there is a coming together in the international community around the need to fight terrorism, and fight it not just on the level of security but on the level of taking on and defeating the ideas of these people and the idea that in any shape or form they have a grievance that could justify what they do."

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