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.”
Last month it was reported Home Secretary Suella Braverman laid down new guidelines ordering the police to only record non-crime hate incidents when absolutely necessary.
Murray told the Lords the government understood “the strength of feeling” among the general public about the issue which is why the new code of practice on the recording and retention of data on NCHIs had been published on March 13….