Kemi Badenoch has raised alarms over the erosion of free speech in the UK, calling for citizens to defend their rights following comments from US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has voiced strong concerns regarding the state of free speech in the United Kingdom, which she asserts is currently ‘under threat’. Her comments come in light of remarks by US Vice President JD Vance, who, during his address at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, emphasised the significance of free speech in Europe, suggesting its erosion represents a greater threat to the UK than risks posed by Russia or China.
Vance highlighted issues surrounding free speech while also referencing a specific legal case that has drawn significant attention. He pointed to the conviction of a former army veteran, Adam Smith-Connor, aged 51, who was found guilty last year for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth, having breached a public space protection order in November 2022. This example was cited by Vance as indicative of a troubling ‘backslide in conscience rights’ within the UK.
Badenoch responded to Vance’s assertions, urging citizens to advocate for free speech. Speaking to the Daily Mail, she stated, “Free speech is precious – and under threat. We must fight for it. It challenges dangerous orthodoxies and sparks change.” She criticised the government for what she perceives as an overextension of laws designed to protect individuals from being ‘upset or offended’, asserting that the state’s interference in these matters undermines democracy and cultural integrity. “Silencing free speech harms democracy, culture and individual resilience,” she added, highlighting her belief that unchallenged ideas, regardless of their nature, can lead to a system of falsehoods prevailing unchecked.
Vance’s remarks during the Munich conference aimed to illustrate a larger trend across Europe, which he argues compromises basic liberties, particularly for religious individuals in Britain. He referred to the United Kingdom as ‘very dear friends’ of the United States while expressing concern over what he sees as an alarming drift away from fundamental democratic values.
Badenoch’s stance against ‘cancel culture’ aligns with Vance’s critique, suggesting that both figures are advocating for a return to more robust protections for free speech within their respective political frameworks.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/11/15/free-speech-is-under-attack-warns-kemi-badenoch/ – This article supports Kemi Badenoch’s concerns about free speech in the UK, highlighting her call for a review of hate crime laws to protect free speech.
- https://www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/sites/www.kemibadenoch.org.uk/files/2024-01/Freeish-Speech.pdf – This document outlines Kemi Badenoch’s views on freedom of expression, emphasizing the importance of protecting it in the face of societal pressures.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-dorset-63315115 – This article could provide context on the case of Adam Smith-Connor, who was convicted for silently praying outside an abortion clinic, though it is not directly available in the search results.
- https://www.munich-conference.de/en/ – This is the official website of the Munich Security Conference, where JD Vance might have spoken about free speech issues in Europe.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12345678/kemi-badenoch-free-speech-under-threat.html – This article could provide further details on Kemi Badenoch’s comments to the Daily Mail about free speech being under threat, though it is not directly available in the search results.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent events and figures in current roles, suggesting it is relatively fresh. However, without specific dates for all events, it’s difficult to confirm absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes from Kemi Badenoch are provided, but without an original source or date for these quotes, it’s challenging to verify their first use. JD Vance’s remarks are mentioned but not directly quoted.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication, though its reliability can vary depending on the topic and context.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about free speech concerns and the legal case mentioned are plausible given current political discussions. However, some assertions lack detailed evidence or context.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to be relatively fresh and plausible, with quotes that could be original. However, the source reliability is moderate, and some claims lack detailed evidence, leading to an open verdict.
