In this Modernity article, “A Small WIN For Free Speech”, Steve Watson reports that South Wales Police has paused plans to record certain speech about Islam as “anti-Muslim hostility” after pushback from the Free Speech Union and Conservative officials.
- South Wales Police had reportedly directed staff to log comments about Islam that went beyond what officers considered “legitimate” discussion.
- Critics argued the policy amounted to a de facto blasphemy rule by giving police discretion to decide what counted as acceptable criticism of Islam.
- The Free Speech Union threatened judicial review, arguing the guidance conflicted with free speech protections and data protection rules.
- Shadow Equalities Minister Claire Coutinho also referred the matter to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
- The article says the concern was not merely symbolic: recorded incidents could potentially appear in enhanced DBS checks, affecting employment prospects in sensitive fields.
- Watson frames the police move as an example of how vague “hostility” frameworks can become selective speech-monitoring tools.
- The article contrasts the South Wales Police interpretation with the UK government’s March definition of anti-Muslim hostility, which included free speech safeguards.
- Conservative MP Katie Lam warned that such rules could chill discussion of Islamist extremism, FGM, and grooming gangs.
- South Wales Police has now said it will seek guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council before making any further decision.
- The article concludes that the reversal is a small but meaningful victory, showing that public exposure and credible legal pressure can force institutions to retreat from speech-policing policies.
Read the full story: https://modernity.news/2026/06/10/a-small-win-for-free-speech/
JD’s manually curated links for God-fearing MAGA patriots
