THE TIMES Columnists * News * Opinion * Business * Money * Sport * Life * Arts * Puzzles * Papers * Irish news * List View * Site Map * Welcome to your preview of The Times Subscribe now Free speech is being knocked into a cocked hat Melanie Phillips * * Print Share via * Facebook * Twitter * Google+ Last updated at 12:01AM, October 5 2015 The fear of offending certain minorities is generating its own form of political extremism Theresa May is expected to announce a crackdown on Islamic extremism at the Conservative party conference tomorrow. This will reportedly include “extremism disruption orders” for those who spread hatred but don’t break existing laws. There is understandable disquiet that this chilling effect on free speech may extend way beyond dangerous Islamists. David Cameron has said he wants to address the “full spectrum of extremism”. Just what, in the government’s view, is an extremist? The trajectory of “hate crime” has hardly set a reassuring precedent. Christians standing up for biblical sexual ethics have lost their jobs or had their collars felt [TT_Sale_Teaser_1020376a.jpg] [TT_Winter_Sale_15__1018362a.jpg] Subscribe now Login Already a subscriber? To see the full article you need to subscribe Subscribe Login Behind the story: Student chiefs ban ‘racist’ sombreros Students with sombreros Student union officials at the University of East Anglia ordered that the Mexican hat be confiscated from undergraduates... Published at September 29 2015 * Sponsored Editorial Insight New year - new view As thoughts turn to fresh starts and healthier living, put some focus on your eyes in 2016 Morne Morkel Number one test Guide to England in South Africa With analysis from chief cricket correspondent Mike Atherton In The Heart Of The Sea In The Heart Of The Sea Discover the true story of Moby Dick Take a voyage back to the 1820s as The Times celebrates Ron Howard’s new movie Apprentice The future of engineering Take the fear factor out of innovation How cultural resistance to change must be overcome if companies want to move ahead Cyber security Cyber Security Don’t kiss goodbye to online safety How to educate employees about protecting their data from hackers Tech entrepreneurs Kano are playing to win The Challengers Tech nation are playing to win The UK’s digital entrepreneurs are powering ahead Philips Airfryer A healthier diet starts here Free 32-recipe Airfryer cookbook - to make indulging in our favourite foods a guilt-free pleasure Ready Business Mentor Revealing the five entrepreneurs to be guided by business guru Sophie Cornish National Business Awards National Business Awards Showcasing achievement Rewarding success through innovation from entreprenuers to SMEs and FTSE100 Business City Guide City Business Getting started Thinking of setting up a business abroad? Don’t go anywhere without consulting this guide Goldman Sachs Goldman Sachs Understanding capital markets Speed of European monetary union has left capital markets in the slow lane The 2015 Peer Awards Celebrating the inspirational in business More from Columnists Beta male: a brush with the opposition Published 1 minute ago ‘I spent a night with Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott. But, no, I didn’t get a selfie’ Giles Coren reviews Sartoria, London W1 Published at 6:21PM, January 16 2016 ‘Why was everyone on the phone? Of 40 diners, 33 were tapping away. I was so angry, I got up to glare’ Spinal column: competitive complaining Published at 1:26PM, January 16 2016 ‘Listen, I know you’ve got problems,’ said my husband. ‘But my foot is agony’ Why Chris Gayle got it wrong Published at 1:15PM, January 16 2016 ‘I’m sorry – but I want you to imagine David Cameron being complimented on his genitalia’ Find * Jobs * Motors * Property * Holidays Search Form Search all Jobs ____________________ (BUTTON) Search * Director General The Department for Communities and Local Government, The Department for Communities and Local Government, London-Regular travel throughout the UK to other locations will be required, circa £130,000 * Business Project Manager University of Bedfordshire, Luton, Bedfordshire, £32,600 - £38,896 per annum * FIND YOUR NEXT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE NonExecutiveDirectors.com, Nationwide, Competitive * Health Service Executive ,Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland, Competitive * + Search Form Search all Cars ____________________ (BUTTON) Search * Tom Hartley Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster Grigio Estoque with nero marrone leather * Tom Hartley 1965 Ferrari I 250 TR recreation red with leather * Tom Hartley Bentley Continental GT V8 glacier white with beluga hide * Tom Hartley Aston Martin Vanquish 2+2 volcano red with winter wheat leather * + Search Form Enter place or area ____________________ Search (*) For sale ( ) For rent * THE ARK, BOURTON An exciting opportunity to create a unique and modern five bedroom house with traditional features set in 5.83 acres in a beautiful location in Shropshire * The Chatsworth, New York Magnificent 1-5 Bedroom Residences on Manhattan’s Upper West Side * Salcombe’s Luxury Waterside Property Salcombe’s first development of new properties right on the water’s edge for almost twenty years. * 50 United Nations Plaza Discover the ultimate global address in New York, designed by Foster + Partners * + * Rocky Mountaineer Grand Rail Circle 11 day luxury rail journey through Canada’s Rockies, incl flights fr £3554pp * Kenya Fly in Safari & Beach £1,899pp Book with Hayes & Jarvis now & save £223pp on the Governors Fly-in safari & beach package * FREE All Inclusive room upgrade! When staying at the 4* db San Antonio Hotel & spa, Malta this summer * Deluxe River Cruises From £995pp Save £500pp on 2016 European cruises inc meals, selected drinks, tips & excursions. * + * Most Read * Most Active [facebook-2_105831a.gif] [twitter-2_105832a.gif] How to complain about an article in The Times Comment box cutout © Times Newspapers Limited 2016 | Version 5.14.3.0(159135) Registered in England No. 894646 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF My Account | Editorial Complaints | RSS | Classified advertising | Display advertising | International print subscriptions | Encounters Dating | Sunday Times Wine Club | Privacy & Cookie Policy | Syndication | Site Map | FAQ | Terms & Conditions | Contact us | iPhone | Android smartphone | Android tablet | Kindle | Kindle Fire | Place an announcement in The Times | Sunday Times Driving | The Times Bookshop | Times Tutorials | Times Currency Services | Times Print Gallery | Handpicked Collection