Reform Section 5

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v \- t \- e

Reform Section 5, also known as Feel Free to Insult Me, was a successful British campaign dedicated to the reform of Section 5 of the 1986 Public Order Act. It was launched in May 2012.[1] They succeeded, and insulting is no longer illegal under the Public Order Act.[2]

In its problematic form, Section 5 contained the following text:

> A person is guilty of an offence if he–

> (a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or

> (b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,

> within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.

The aim of Reform Section 5 was to have the word "insulting" removed from this definition, on the grounds that legislation against insulting people violates the principle of free speech.[3]

The campaign had supporters from both the left and right. Among them were Peter Tatchell, who was previously arrested under this section of the Act; the National Secular Society; the Christian Institute and Big Brother Watch.[1]

In December 2013, the Reform Section 5 campaign announced that the Home Office had removed ‘insults’ from Section 5 of the Public Order Act. The amended act came into force on February 1, 2014.[4]

## See also[edit]

* Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006

## External links[edit]

* Official website

## References[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/2012/may/16/why-insults-are-political-issue
2. ↑ RS5 AMENDMENT WILL COME INTO FORCE IN FEBRUARY
3. ↑ http://reformsection5.org.uk/faq/
4. ↑ http://reformsection5.org.uk/2013/12/rs5-amendment-will-come-into-force-in-february/

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