Vis à vis the whole sory episode of Geert Wilders being prevented from attending a screening of his film Fitna at the House Of Lords, Denis Cooper points out (via email) that The Bill Of Rights 1688, paragraph 9 states as follows:
"That the Freedome of Speech and Debates or Proceedings in Parlyament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any Court or Place out of Parlyament."
Said is said.
The new Scotland
4 hours ago
3 comments:
Freedom of speech? Parliament has spent the last fifty years giving to the government.
Parliamentary privilege has not been questioned. However, it has been suggested that Jackboots has exceeded her powers in excluding Wilders - EU regulations protecting the free movement of citizens of EU states don't allow the UK to exclude citizens of EU states except on certain specific public policy grounds. It is certainly arguable from case law that Wilders cannot be barred because of this legislation.
Jonathan Miller
If Lord Pearson invited him to attend 'parliamentary proceedings' and the Home Secretary stopped him, then that goes against the Bill of Rights.
As to EU, I think 'protecting public safety' is a legitimate public policy ground, even under EU rules. Notwithstanding that Mr W was no threat to 'public safety' whatsoever.
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