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Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

Those with strong views about certain beliefs will still be able to speak out. It will still be possible to criticise the beliefs, teachings or practices of a religion, or to claim that they are false or harmful. People will still be free to proselytise or to urge the followers of a different religion to cease to practice theirs. Even if their comments are intended or likely to cause grave offence, they still will not be covered by the new offence. We are seeking to protect the believer, not the belief. In line with the assurances given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary earlier, I assure my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Dr. Wright) that we will consider whether there are ways in which the Bill can be strengthened to provide the kind of assurances that he seeks.