---

Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

People who aspire to the hon. Gentleman’s track record on anti-racism oppose the measure because they recognise that religion and race are different. The hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. McGovern) is wrong because, the Norwood case, which has already been cited, shows that such acts are public order offences under section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. Someone who put up a poster saying, ““Muslims out of Britain””, with a picture of the twin towers, was prosecuted under that legislation. Sub judice rules do not apply when we are making law, so I can say that Nick Griffin has been prosecuted for his disguised racism using religious words, which is evidence that the existing law bites. I urge the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) to reconsider his criticism in this area.