How Free is Free Speech?

Date: Thursday 30 April 2015
Time: 1.15-2.30pm
Venue: TW1.G.01, Tower 1
Speakers: Ulele Burnham, Peter Oborne, Dr Abdul Wahid
Chair: Professor Conor Gearty

As a result of recent legislation, public authorities everywhere are now required to be on guard against the dangers of 'extremism' and to report 'extremists' to the authorities where they come across them in the course of their work - whether as teachers, mental health professionals, university lecturers or in some other capacity. But what is an extremist? What about free speech? How can a society which says it is committed to freedom seek to stop political speech it disagrees with? Is this a step too far in the growth of our Big Brother society?

Ulele Burnham is a Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers with specific expertise in mental capacity, mental health, human rights and equality law.

Peter Oborne (@OborneTweets) is a journalist who currently is the associate editor of the Spectator and former chief political commentator of the Daily Telegraph.

Dr Abdul Wahid is Chair, Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain.

Conor Gearty (@conorgearty) is Professor of Human Rights Law at LSE Law and Director of the Institute of Public Affairs at LSE.

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