Hate law gets Commons ok

A fresh legislation enabling the government to clamp down on expressions of religious hatred in Britain has been cleared in the House of Commons but is expected to face a rocky ride in the House of Lords. MPs gave the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill a third reading by 301 votes to 229, a majority of 72, last night.

Shadow Attorney General Dominic Grieve said the Bill would not improve race relations. But Home Office Minister Paul Goggins said, 8216;8216;I believe we need to take on the hate-mongers, whether they are terrorists or extremists.8217;8217; He described the Bill as small and tightly focused with 8216;8216;not much room for manoeuvre8217;8217;, although he accepted it was 8216;8216;not the whole answer8217;8217;. 8216;8216;There is a gap and we seek to close it through the legislation,8217;8217; Goggins said.

The Bill, welcomed by the Hindu community in Britain, would create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred. PTI