Minister Tells Parliament Non-Crime Hate Incidents Should Not ‘Inhibit Lawful Debate’

Labour Party supports revised code amid concerns over freedom of speech

A woman dresses up in a costume with a sign saying "free speech" as she prepares to take part in a protest in Westminster, London, on Feb. 11, 2023. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

A government minister has told a debate in the House of Lords the controversial policy of recording non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) should not be used to inhibit free speech.

Lord Murray of Blidworth, a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Home Office, told a debate on Wednesday, “Non-crime hate incidents have attracted a significant amount of controversy, particularly in this place, due to concerns relating to free speech.”