The issue of freedom of speech has been at the forefront of British society and politics for quite some time.
A number of cases have hit the news recently, where freedom of speech has been the main issue.
One of these was when more than 200 Cambridge University students signed an open letter expressing concern about their “safety” after the Tory association booked out the college’s hall for dinner.
Trainee solicitor Ossie Visick penned a lengthy letter addressing Cambridge University Conservative Association (CUCA) saying that students have “raised concerns” about feeling “unsafe” due to CUCA’s “polarising reputation”.
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Visick cited incidents of alleged “misogyny”, criticism of same-sex marriage and a motion suggesting some members would “pre-emptively strike Iran” as particularly problematic.
CUCA however replied stating that the student-led letter was an attack on free speech and yet another example of cancel culture.
In another instance, Graham Linehan, the writer of such hit sitcoms as Father Ted and The IT Crowd told Tory members he has demanded answers after he was initially denied access to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
Linehan, also known as Glinner, has come under fire from LGBT+ groups for his stance on trans rights, accusing those who are in favour of letting children change gender of "grooming".
Graham Linehan and Lee Mack have both had issues with free speech in recent months
PA/ITV
At the Conservative Party Conference last year, he said that he feared his trans views were responsible for his initial pass application being rejected - and he blamed the police.
He told the audience: "I almost didn't make it here because I was refused accreditation by the police. I had to pull some strings and make some calls to finally be allowed in.”
And in another instance, Lee Mack was criticised following a joke at the National Television Awards that seemed to poke fun at woke cancel culture.
After picking up the Quiz Show Award for hit ITV gameshow The 1% Club, he said: "I want to thank Michael McIntyre, I wanna thank Richard Osman, I wanna thank Bradley Walsh, proving that if you get really funny people to host a show, it's a good idea.
"And also shows diversity targets are really working," Mack sarcastically added. "Doesn't matter if you're 5"6 or 7"9, it's for everyone."
One Twitter user said after Mack's speech: "Well lee mack is gonna get cancelled now #NTAs."
While a second hit out: "I am sure the diversity joke was very, very funny … in Lee Mack’s head. #NTAs #NationalTelevisionAwards."
GB News membership readers were exclusively asked if they thought freedom of speech is under threat in the UK.
61 per cent disagreed with the statement, while 39 per cent agreed.
