That’s Debatable!

Is Donald Trump undermining press freedom? Veteran US journalist and SpyTalk editor and podcast host Jeff Stein joins David Rose on the Free Speech Union podcast to discuss Trump's clashes with the media and the million-dollar defamation lawsuit that could have cost Stein his home. He explains how Substack Defender funded his successful legal defence, why costly libel actions can silence independent journalists and what his case means for free speech in the US and UK. #freespeech #censorshipdebate #pressfreedom Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Join us for a live recording of the podcast at the Battle of Ideas Festival on Saturday 17 October in Central London: https://www.battleofideas.org.uk/session/podcast-live-the-free-speech-union-on-the-free-speech-frontline/ (FSU members can get 20% off by clicking on the link in the members' email from 22 September 2026.) Follow Jeff Stein Substack: https://substack.com/@spytalk Spytalk podcast: https://www.spytalk.co/podcast Subscribe to the Free Speech Union podcast channel for more interviews on freedom of speech, censorship, media freedom and civil liberties.

A shocking video of police turning up on the doorstep of a teenager's home went viral in 2025. Officers demanded devices, barged into the house, and seized a young girl's phone over an unverified social media allegation. Jake Hurfurt of Big Brother Watch investigated what happened next. What he uncovered is shocking. In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Jake joins the FSU's David Rose to unpack what really happened in that viral case, and how it fits into a nationwide crisis of over 62,000 communications arrests across the UK. Read Jake Hurfurt's report "Britain's Free Speech Problem", published by Big Brother Watch: https://bigbrotherwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Britains-Free-Speech-Problem-070926.pdf #freespeech #censorshipdebate Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Subscribe to our podcast channel for more discussions on civil liberties, free expression, and countering cancel culture. Follow Jake Hurfurt and Big Brother Watch X/Twitter: https://x.com/JHurfurt X/Twitter: https://x.com/BigBrotherWatch  

In this episode of The Free Speech Union podcast, Connie Shaw speaks with Reverend Dr Bernard Randall, who underwent a seven-year battle after delivering a sermon encouraging pupils at Trent College in Nottinghamshire to think critically and respect diverse viewpoints on sex and gender. Trent College was a Christian school and had employed Bernard as its chaplain. But the school had adopted a woke agenda. After Bernard's sermon, he was banned from preaching in the school chapel. He was also secretly reported to the government's counter extermism programme, Prevent. Bernard describes years of tribunal proceedings and Church of England safeguarding investigations. And the importance of standing up for freedom of conscience.  -------------------------------------------------- #freespeech #censorshipdebate #religiousfreedom Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

Stephen Gray, a retired police officer and foster parent, tells Connie Shaw how a reposted Facebook joke led to police at his door, the seizure of his shotgun certificate, a prosecution under the Communications Act and a criminal conviction. He explains why he believes the joke made a political point about child marriage in Islam, why he is appealing the conviction with the Free Speech Union's support, and what his case says about policing, the CPS and the shrinking space for lawful but offensive speech. Please help the Free Speech Union fund Stephen's appeal against conviction: https://freespeechunion.org/fundraisers/blasphemy-fundraiser #freespeech #censorshipdebate #blasphemylaw Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

The death of Jason Arday has triggered calls for press regulation and censorship, including an “Arday's Law” to limit the number of articles written about one person. Graeme Wood is a free speech absolutist and a staff writer at The Atlantic. He joins the Free Speech Union's Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, to discuss the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal, the backlash against journalists, and why calls for state regulation of the press should alarm anyone who values free speech. #freespeech #censorshipdebate #pressfreedom Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Read Graeme Wood's article in The Atlantic: "Jason Arday's Final Self-Delusion Elevating a fraud is shameful. Exposing one isn't." https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/08/jason-arday-death-lies-delusion/688311/ Follow Graeme Wood: X/Twitter: https://x.com/gcaw  

Collin May had a successful academic and professional career, culiminating in his appointment in 2022 as chair of the Human Rights Commission for the Canadian province of Alberta. But May's 2009 review of an academic book about Islam was about to destroy his career. The National Council of Canadian Muslims, a lobby group with links to the Muslim Brotherhood, claimed that passages in May's review were offensive and Islamophobic. May was sacked after defending his review and refusing to resign. In this powerful interview, May explains how this resulted him losing his home and his reputation. But the experience also inspired his book about cancel culture's evolution into something even more dangerous: “incarceration culture”. Collin May is now the reserach director of the Free Speech Union Canada. #freespeech #censorshipdebate #cancelculture Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Collin May LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-may-8b52b5/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/CollinM582807 Collin May is the author of "From Cancel Culture to Incarceration Culture: Prosecutorial Democracy and the Future of Cancellation" https://www.amazon.com/Cancel-Culture-Incarceration-Prosecutorial-Cancellation/dp/1680533703/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27W0VIQHAC3K5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J8DAk3dQCAmI833r5a1NghwsrksvmTNq7LFkf1yDkmgqYNibkEuMqMHiIspFCvRvclei4HNbZI-Ghqf6UPPnuw.-ckc1S7E8I1Iv10ZwAa51gzhWiIAOK1Gq0azkaovpbo&dib_tag=se&keywords=from+cancel+culture+to+incarceration+culture&qid=1786989661&sprefix=from+cancel+culture+to+incarcaration+cultu%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1  

The Charlie Hebdo attack divided Prof Matei Candea's friends. It also prompted him to embark on an anthropological study of free speech. The result is "Reason, Carnival and Honour: An Anthropology of Free Speech", a book which explores the hidden assumptions behind free speech debates. Professor Candea discusses his book with Dr Jan MacVarish, the Free Speech Union's director of national engagement. #freespeech #censorshipdebate Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Buy Professor Matei Candea's book, Reason, Carnival and Honour, published by Pelican: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0241711258?tag=prhmarketing2552-21 Professor Matei Candea's website: https://www.candea.org/  

Comedian, author and commentator Andrew Doyle joins FSU General Secretary Lord Young to discuss a little-noticed government-commissioned report on misinformation and its implications for public debate. The report's Orwellian proposals include "psychological inoculation", "pre-bunking" and game-based "interventions" to steer the public towards state-approved political messages. Andrew Doyle and Lord Young also discuss: Why Andrew and Graham Linehan are working from Arizona Government proposals to give prominence online to approved news sources such as the BBC and Channel 4 News #freespeech #censorshipdebate #onlinesafety Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Andrew Doyle X/Twitter: https://x.com/andrewdoyle_com?lang=en Andrew's website: https://www.andrewdoyle.org/ Andrew's Substack: https://substack.com/@andrewdoyle Read Andrew Doyle's Substack article about proposals to "inoculate" us against "wrongthink": https://www.andrewdoyle.org/p/the-government-report-that-wants Read Lord Young's Spectator article on the dangers of policing misinformation: https://spectator.com/article/the-dangers-of-policing-misinformation/ Read the report commissioned by the UK government's Office for Science, "False and Misleading Information: An Evidence Summary and Map for Policy and Practice" here: https://usher.ed.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2026-05/False%20and%20Misleading%20Information%3A%20An%20Evidence%20Summary%20and%20Map%20for%20Policy%20and%20Practice%20.pdf  

Sentenced to 31 months in prison for a tweet posted in anger after the Southport murders in 2024, Lucy Connolly pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred. But should she have opted for a jury trial instead? One year after her release from prison, she talks to the FSU's Connie Shaw about her new life as a free speech campaigner and the author of A Tweet Too Far? #freespeech #twotierpolicing Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Lucy Connolly X/Twitter: https://x.com/LucyTCWife Substack: https://lucyconnolly1.substack.com/  

Leaked documents obtained by investigative journalist Paul Holden revealed an anti-free speech project at the heart of the Starmer government. In this edition of the Free Speech Union's podcast, Holden tells the FSU's David Rose why he fears free speech and online privacy could be further eroded under incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham. #freespeech #onlineprivacy #labourparty Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Paul Holden Paul is Director of Investigations at Shadow World Investigations: https://shadowworldinvestigations.org/ He is the author of "The Fraud: Keir Starmer, Morgan McSweeney, and the Crisis of British Democracy"  

The latest threat to free speech on trans issues has been published by the government. The draft Conversion Practices Bill purports to protect gay and trans people from abuse. It creates a new criminal offence, punishable with up to five years in prison. Minister for Equalities, Emily Bailey MP, claims it won't stop parents and therapists talking openly to children with identity issues. She says it only crimnalises conversion practices which are abusive and which cause serious harm. However, James Esses, a therapist and campaigner who challenges children who believe they are "trapped in the wrong body" argues that the proposed new law puts him at risk of jail. #freespeech #transgender Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow James Esses X/Twitter: https://x.com/JamesEsses Substack: https://substack.com/@jamesesses James's home page: https://jamesesses.com/  

The UK government plans to ban social media for under 16s. Is it digital ID by stealth? The Free Speech Union's general secretary, Lord Young, answers this and other questions sent in by FSU members. *Will VPNs might be banned? *Is it true that the ban won't apply to Bluesky? *How will it be enforced? *How has a similar ban worked in Australia? *Will it lead to more censorship and regulation of the media?   Hosted by Jan McVarish, the FSU's education and events director. #freespeech #socialmediaban #digitalidentity   Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://x.com/freespeechunion   Facebook: https://x.com/speechunion      

Investigative reporter Nick Wallis played a leading role in exposing the Post Office scandal. His BBC documentaries helped uncover the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history and led to a public inquiry. Now Nick's turning his journalistic skills to exposing the medical and safeguarding harms caused by trans ideology. But this time, he doesn't have the backing of the BBC. "I got involved when it became a free speech issue," he tells the Free Speech Union's Connie Shaw. #freespeech #transgender #bbcnews   Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://freespeechunion   Facebook: https://speechunion   Follow Nick Wallis X/Twitter: https://x.com/nickwallis Nick's website: https://nickwallis.com/ Donate to and follow Nick's work on trans: https://genderblog.net/ Donate to and follow Nick's work on the Post Office Scandal: https://www.postofficescandal.uk/

Former UK government Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho MP reveals how civil service "group think" stopped questioning of Net Zero. From misleading costings to attempts to silence dissent, Coutinho reveals why she believes the Climate Change Act needs a total reset. #freespeech #netzero #climatechange Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Is the 'vibe shift' real? Or are we kidding ourselves that we are past “peak woke”? Bestselling novelist Lionel Shriver joins the Free Speech Union's general secretary Lord Young to explain why the 'long war' on free speech is just beginning. They discuss *Immigration: the subject of Lionel's latest novel “A Better Life” and why immigration has become the litmus test for progressives. *The Trans Debate: Why Lionel is resisting the urge to write the "predictable" trans novel. *Ideological Conformism: The chilling reason why most intellectuals choose "ideological collusion" over truth. * Political Violence: Reaction to the murder of Charlie Kirk and the rising temperature of the far-left. Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Read Lionel Shriver's latest novel A Better Life: https://https://www.amazon.co.uk/Better-Life-Lionel-Shriver/dp/0063482142 Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Ex-cop Rick Prior worked in the Met police's Culture, Diversity and Inclusion department. He reveals how he witnessed the adoption of the sort of woke ideologies that lead to two-tier policing and situations like the arrest of dying victim Henry Nowak. #freespeech #twotierpolicing #henrynowak Read the Free Speech Union's briefing "With Fear and Favour: Britiain's Policing Emergency": https://freespeechunion.org/publications/fear-and-favour-policing-emergency Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Rick Prior: https://x.com/mpfchairman  

Former BBC editor Rob Burley talks about his recent Unherd investigation: "Inside the capture of the BBC How transgenderism killed impartiality."   This is an insider account of how bosses at one of Britain's most important institutions became scared of young, woke employees and speaking freely. #freespeech #bbc #bbcnews Read Rob's article for Unherd: https://unherd.com/2026/05/inside-the-capture-of-the-bbc/ Follow Rob Burley: SubStack: https://substack.com/@UCws6I35J8b51YrUdkcph8CA X/Twitter: https://x.com/RobBurl?lang=en Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Journalist Janet Murray tells Connie Shaw how her views about trans impacted her community choir. The "Singing Striders" were dropped by disability charity Scope from performing at the London Marathon. Scope objected to Janet's views, even though they were unrelated to her work with the choir. Scope backed down at the last minute, but too late for the show to go on. The choir row is just the latest attack Janet has suffered in a long campaign against her. #freespeech #transgender #ukpolitics Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion Follow Janet Murray https://janetmurray.co.uk https://x.com/jan_murray https://janetmurray.substack.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-murray74/  

After Independent Councillor John Edwards asked questions about a scheme for housing Afghan migrants, he found himself under investigation by the local council. Even though he was cleared by an independent investigator, he still faces a hearing and has had to launch a CROWDFUNDER to defend himself. JOHN'S CROWDFUNDER: https://www.gofundme.com/f/silenced-for-telling-the-truth-about-an-afghan-hotel-scheme?attribution_id=sl:a3a0cd74-42ae-4834-88c9-c9ee17ae16da&lang=en_GB&ts=1778681504&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link Follow John https://linktr.ee/John_EdwardsUK Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

The Labour MP and lifelong socialist reveals his fears about censorship, corporate spies and attempts to undermine democracy. #freespeech #pressfreedom #ukpolitics Plus, the Free Speech Union's David Rose shares his exclusive investigation into a pro-censorship web of Labour apparatchiks. Read the FSU's briefing, "Starmer's Misinformation Mafia" now: https://freespeechunion.org//publications/starmers-misinformation-mafia Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

The conservative MP talks cover‑ups, community tensions, and free speech with FSU General Secretary Lord Young #GroomingGangs #freespeech #onlinesafety  Follow Katie Lam MP: https://x.com/Katie_Lam_MP Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Can a man be a woman? When student Samiksha Bhattacharjee organised a campus debate on the topic "all hell broke out." #transgender #charliekirk #UKPolitics Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Dr Shahrar Ali was the Deputy Leader of the Green Party from 2014 to 2016. He was removed as a spokeman for his gender critical views. Now, he believes the Greens are a danger to society. But he says it's not too late to save them. #islam #transgender #greenparty Follow Shahar: https://x.com/ShahrarAli Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Brodie Mitchell was banned from campus by Royal Holloway for telling a student that her Palestinian scarf looked like a tea towel. Now he might be prosecuted. #palestine #islam #israel   Donate to the Free Speech Union's crowdfunder: https://freespeechunion.org/fundraisers/islamophobia-fundraiser   Brodie Mitchell: https://www.tiktok.com/@brodie_uk   Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/   Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Fiyaz Mughal OBE is a Muslim community activist who opposes the government's recent decision to publish an official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as 'anti-Muslim hostility'. He tells David Rose, the FSU's director of research and policy, why. Fiyaz is the founder of Faith Matters and of Tell MAMA, an organisation set up to help victims of anti-Muslim hate crime. #labour #IslamophobiaDebate #freespeech #islam   Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

Former Prime Minister Liz Truss on Islamism and why she's woken up to the issue of free speech. #Islam #labour #freespeech   The Liz Truss Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpILxhwF4a1H-iBA6Apb0FQ   Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

Toby Young scrutinises US lawyer Preston Byrne on his draft Free Speech Act for the UK. Plus, Ofcom v, 4Chan. #FreeSpeech #censorshipdebate #onlinesafetyact

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is a former cabinet minister and Conservative MP for North East Somerset, and now a GB News presenter. He says Jim Ratcliffe's comments about immigration has cleared the path for others, and that the Equality Act should be scrapped. What do you think? Follow Jacob: https://x.com/Jacob_Rees_Mogg   Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion  

FSU General Secretary Lord Young interviews Karl Turner MP, the leader of Labour's backbench rebellion against David Lammy's efforts to curtail the right to trial by jury.

Jack Anderton is a political campaigner and adviser for Reform UK. Bangor University Debating and Political Society refused his request to speak and debate with students as part of his 'A New Dawn' tour, claiming that Reform UK members and representatives were "racist" "homophobic" and "transphobic". #reformuk #freespeech #university #cancelculture Jack's events: https://jackanderton.com/events/ Follow Jack: https://x.com/JACKGUYANDERTON Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join.html Follow the Free Speech Union: https://x.com/SpeechUnion https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion 

David Rose is the Free Speech Union's Director of Research and Policy. His report on the Islamophobia working group has revealed that every single member has connections with Islamist organisations. #islam #freespeech #labour READ THE REPORT IN FULL: https://freespeechunion.org/anti-free-speech-hostility-islamophobia.pdf Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion 

The Peter Mandelson scandal is unfolding, and the Labour government are drafting legislation to grant themselves the power to strip Lord Mandelson of his title. Seems justifiable. But could this have huge unintended consequences for all members of the House of Lords? Founder and General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, and Conservative Peer, Toby Young thinks so. #mandelson #labour #cancelculture Follow Toby Young: https://x.com/toadmeister Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: https://x.com/SpeechUnion https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/  https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion 

Charlie Peters is GB News' National Reporter and an investigative journalist. He has extensively covered the grooming gangs scandal in the face of accusations of Islamophobia and racism. In this episode we discussed why the proposed ‘Islamophobia' definition is dangerous for crucial work such as Charlie's.    Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/   Follow Charlie: https://x.com/CDP1882 Charlie's groundbreaking documentary for GB News: https://youtu.be/VAGk2mvgBEk?si=kY9hv5qmFuHN8unM   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

This week, Jan Macvarish speaks to Brendan O'Neill about the regulation of Grok, how bad things were on Twitter before the Musk era and whether we can rely on billionaires to provide us with free speech.   They then move on to discuss the inspiring struggle for freedom in Iran and whether Brits who support freedom and democracy would be prepared to take to the streets in a similar manner. Many political protests in the UK today seem to be favouring backwards foreign tyrannies or undermining the UK's civic norms. What's the correct perspective on the threat of authoritarianism in the UK under Keir Starmer? How do we defend our freedoms without sliding into doomerism? And finally, are younger people defying woke?   FSU members can register for the exclusive Webinar with Q and A, 'The Struggle for Freedom in Iran', taking place on Wednesday 21st January, by clicking on the link in last Friday's newsletter and watching out for emails from FSU Events.   All are welcome at the in-person London event 'In Defence of Trial by Jury' on Thursday 29th January. Click on this link to get tickets. Spiked Supporters should check their emails for details of a special discount code.   And viewers and listeners in Scotland should come to the Free Speech Union's Glasgow Roadshow on Friday 13th February. Tickets can be purchased here.

Lois McLatchie Miller is a free speech campaigner and a Christian writer and commentator. In 2025 she was arrested by fourteen police officers in Brussels, alongside Bill Board Chris, for wearing a signs that read “children cannot consent to puberty blockers” and “children are never born in the wrong body”.    Follow Lois on X: https://x.com/LoisMcLatch Lois' substack: https://tradical.substack.com/ Lois' arrest: https://x.com/LoisMcLatch/status/1931484693322416199?s=20   Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

Darren Grimes is the Reform UK deputy leader of County Durham County Council.  Since Reform was elected to Durham County Council in May, there have been 172 complaints about councillors, with 34 leading to taxpayer-funded investigations. 21 of the complaints were against Darren Grimes.   Darren subsequently amended the constitution to protect freedom of speech. The amendments were inspired by the FSU code of conduct for elected members that will protect their freedom of expression which Bromley Council has also adopted. It says “the right to freedom of speech under the law is the basis of democracy and will be upheld at all times and there is no right to be offended by any lawful expression”.    The amendment has been met with backlash from opposition councillors who have branded the protection of freedom of speech as a dangerous move, with one even arguing that it "encourages real violence”...   Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Follow Darren: https://x.com/darrengrimes   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

In 2021, the award-winning author, teacher and poet Kate Clanchy suffered one of the most public and aggressive cancellations in the cultural world. In a series of vicious attacks, online critics accused her bestselling memoir, Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, of ‘racism' and ‘ablism', provoking an unprecedented pile-on. Shamefully, her own publishers, Picador, sided with the accusers. A new seven-part podcast, Anatomy of a Cancellation, has been acclaimed for its in-depth analysis of the whole Salem-like affair, in this interview, the FSU's Jan Macvarish asks Kate for her reflections on the story it tells. How has she survived the almost total destruction of her reputation? Books on cancellation that are mentioned in the interview include Helen Garner's The First Stone, Mark Lawson's The Allegations and Phillip Roth's The Human Stain.  You can read more of Kate's most recent writing here.  

Cath Leng is a former BBC journalist who has spoken out amidst the BBC bias scandal. Disciplined for raising serious concerns about lack of impartiality on the reporting of transgender stories and censorship of gender critical perspectives, Leng reveals how she was forced out of the BBC for simply doing her job. Speaking to External Affairs Officer Connie Shaw, they explore why balanced and impartial broadcasting is essential for public discourse and debate.    Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Follow Cath: https://x.com/leng_cath Follow SEEN in Journalism: https://x.com/JournalismSEEN   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion

Watch Connie Shaw speak to Times Radio producer Maxie Allen who reveals the behind the scenes of his and his partner's arrest for private WhatsApps. With the help of the Free Speech Union, Maxie and his partner Rosalind have received £20,000 in compensation from Hertfordshire Police who have admitted to wrongful arrest.    Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

Susan Smith is one of the founders and directors of For Women Scotland, the grassroots women's rights campaigners who took the Scottish government all the way to the Supreme Court and won, with the ruling that a woman is defined by being biologically female under the Equality Act 2010.   Susan Smith had been ordered to accept a Police Recorded Warning, or else be charged with a minor vandalism offense following a disputed incident involving alleged damage to an umbrella. The footage of the incident was captured on camera which raised significant questions about what exactly Susan had done to deserve such treatment.     Now, following media pressure, Police Scotland have dropped their investigation and Susan will not receive a warning or any charges. She can now comment on the ordeal…   Follow For Women Scotland: https://x.com/ForWomenScot   Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion   Edited by Jason Clift

This week's podcast guest is CEO, journalist and author Tanya de Grunwald. Tanya has been making waves in the world of HR with her This Isn't Working podcast. Tanya talks to FSU's Jan Macvarish about the free speech issues arising in workplace culture and the network she is building of employees and employers who want to make things better. Subscribe here to listen and here to watch. Edited by Jason Clift

Julie Bindel joins Connie Shaw to discuss the Metropolitan Police's announcement that non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) will no longer be recorded following Graham Linehan having no further action taken against him.    Julie is a journalist, feminist and co-host of the podcast the lesbian project. She has campaigned against violence against women and girls for over 40 years. She was one of the first journalists to ever write about trans ideology with her famous article in the Guardian in 2004. From that point Julie has been a target for transactivist, being deplatformed from universities, at one point by a local council and on the receiving end of smear campaigns, including having a visit from the police in 2019.    Edited by Jason Clift   Follow Julie: x.com/bindelj   Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Freshers' half price membership until 31st Oct 2025: freespeechunion.org/product/freshers-membership-annual-concessionary-subscription   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

This week's episode is a bit different — a live recording of an especially timely event hosted by the FSU as part of the Battle of Ideas Festival 2025. Titled, ‘What is the Problem with Defining Islamophobia?', this lively discussion, features fascinating comments from the audience, but first you'll hear from a expert panel of speakers who have been at the frontline of debating the issue in parliament. Professor Khalid Mahmood Former Labour member of Parliament for Birmingham Perry Barr, visiting professor at Birmingham City University, Director of KN Strategic Solutions Ltd. Nick Timothy MP Member of parliament for West Suffolk, former special advisor to the UK Home Office, author and comment writer. Baroness Amanda Spielman Conservative peer, former chief inspector for Ofsted. Toby Young General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, associate editor of the Spectator, editor-in-chief of the Daily Sceptic. Chaired by Dr Jan Macvarish, Education and Events Director of the Free Speech Union. Edited by Jason Clift

FREE SPEECH UNION MEMBERS GET 20% DISCOUNT ON BATTLE OF IDEAS TICKETS! Find them here: https://freespeechunion.org/event/battle-of-ideas-festival-2025   Baroness Fox of Buckley founded the Academy of Ideas 25 years ago and it continues to put on the UK's biggest freedom of speech festival every year. Claire explains how we must go about tackling the free speech crisis, and what better place to do that than at the Battle of Ideas.    Follow Baroness Fox on X: x.com/Fox_Claire   Follow the Academy of Ideas on X: x.com/acadofideas   Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Freshers' half price membership until 31st Oct 2025: freespeechunion.org/product/freshers-membership-annual-concessionary-subscription   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

This week, Jan Macvarish speaks to the FSU's Director of Projects Stephen O'Grady about the continuing case of Hamit Coskun, the asylum-seeker from Turkey who the FSU is helping appeal his conviction for a public order offence. As an act of political protest, against the Turkish government that had previously tortured and imprisoned him, Hamit burned a copy of the Quran, outside the Turkish consulate in London. He was immediately the victim of a violent attack by a man armed with a large knife, who recently received a suspended sentence, despite his declared intention to kill Hamit. Jan and Stephen delve into the case, the reason why it is a priority for the FSU and why it has resonated so much with our members and the wider public. You can donate to our fundraiser for Hamit's case here https://freespeechunion.org/hamit/?v=7885444af42e

Connie Shaw   18:54 (11 minutes ago)       to me               In this week's That's Debateable!, hosts Vinay Kapoor and Connie Shaw discuss: The new academic year in a post-Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act world, and what needs to be done to restore the university experience. They relay their visit to LSE campus where they spoke to a variety of students from different causes, including both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel, and what their perspectives were on the state of freedom of speech at university  Vinay explains how his time at the University of Warwick has helped his work at the FSU, and what the FSU offers for students who wish to promote freedom of speech on their campuses. Join the Free Speech Union: freespeechunion.org/join   Freshers' half price membership: freespeechunion.org/product/freshers-membership-annual-concessionary-subscription   Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion

This week, Connie and Jan discuss the extraordinary level of interest in the case of Deborah Anderson, the Free Speech Union member and American citizen who filmed a visit from a British police officer who wished to talk to her about her ‘upsetting' Facebook posts. The video has been viewed over 6 million times on X alone. Deborah's indignant defence of her speech rights in the face of state overreach has clearly touched a nerve.   They then cross the pond to discuss the suspension of US talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel for his comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel claimed that the shooter was part of the MAGA tribe and that the murder was being exploited for political capital by Trump and his supporters. The decision by ABC and the Nexstar Media Group to cancel Kimmel, apparently under pressure from chief of broadcast regulator the Federal Communications Commission, provoked much debate about whether those on the right who have claimed to be free speech defenders have now become justifiers of cancel culture. Connie and Jan discuss the nuances of, on the one hand holding people to account for what they say, and on the other, upholding the importance of free speech. Edited by Jason Clift

This week on That's Debatable… Charlie Kirk, a bastion for free speech and open debate, was tragically assassinated last week. Everyone at The FSU is still holding the wife and young children of Charlie Kirk in our thoughts and prayers. Jan describes her experience witnessing The Unite the Kingdom march for free speech that took place on 13th September, where many Free Speech Union members were present.  The Leader of the Opposition has asked General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, Toby Young, to lead a review of Britain's free speech laws. The provisional recommendations are due to be issued in December 2025. Edited by Jason Clift

Jan Macvarish is joined by Vinay Kapoor who runs the Free Speech Union's funding stream for students and young people, the Ian Mactaggart Programme. They begin by responding to the outrageous arrest of comedy writer Graham Linehan by five armed police officers at Heathrow Airport. Graham has not yet been charged but police are investigating him for three tweets posted earlier this year. The FSU is providing Graham with legal support, raising funds with a crowdfunder, and has succeeded in overturning the bail conditions that forbade him from posting on X.   Vinay speaks about his time as a student at Warwick University where he launched his own society for open inquiry and debate, called Warwick Speakeasy. Now that he has graduated, he will be concentrating on expanding the FSU's outreach to a younger audience through tailored events and by encouraging free speech initiatives by other young people. Vinay is committed to resurrecting the ‘socratic' approach to intellectual development and public discourse where everything is open to question in the pursuit of critical thinking and deeper understanding. Finally, Jan encourages our viewers and listeners to get their tickets for The War on Science on 4th October (FSU Members can book discounted tickets) and the Battle of Ideas Festival on the 18th and 19th October (FSU Members can use the promo code in the weekly newsletter to unlock a reduced rate). Edited by Jason Clift

Celeste, an FSU Case Officer, and External Affairs Officer Connie discuss what goes on behind the scenes at the FSU, what case officers do when they receive your emails to the help@freespeechunion.org line, and what tactics they deploy against those who try to silence you.    Cases and news of note include: The Islamophobia definition delayed down to the FSU's pressure on the government  Disabled 8 year old boy banned from summer camp due to his mother's gender critical views Robert Moss, retired fireman, arrested for criticising his former employer Events and Offers: The War On Science panel with Richard Dawkins, Lawrence Krauss, Alice Sullivan, John Armstrong and Alan Sokal, 4th October  Battle of Ideas: FSU members get 20% off tickets! New students get half price FSU memberships for £14.99 Edited By Jason Clift

Lucy Connolly, the child minder who was jailed for 31 months for a single tweet, has been released from prison. The Free Speech Union funded her appeal in May 2025. In this episode, Toby Young answers some common questions surrounding Lucy Connolly's case. Edited by Jason Clift