Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, with reference to the Answer of 8 October to Question 294685 on Social Media: Harrassment, whether he has made an assessment of the effect on political debate and discussion of anonymous abuse and threats on Twitter.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
I refer the Hon. member to my previous response to his question 294685 on a similar subject. People on all sides of the political divide must be able to debate freely without being subject to personal threats and abuse. The Government recognises that rising levels of intimidation in public life can prevent talented people, particularly women and those from minority backgrounds, from standing for public office. I would be happy to meet the Hon. member to discuss any particular concerns he would like to raise with me on this issue.
Asked by: Lord Austin of Dudley (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Leader of the House:
To ask the Leader of the House, what assessment he has made of the effect on political debate and discussion of anonymous abuse and threats on social media.
Answered by Jacob Rees-Mogg
Democracy is a cornerstone of British values and key to a healthy democracy is having respectful, vibrant and open debate. However, this freedom cannot be an excuse to cause harm or spread hatred and a line is crossed when disagreement mutates into intimidation, violence or abuse. The Government recognises that rising levels of intimidation in public life can stop talented people, particularly women and those from minority backgrounds, from standing for public office. In April this year, the Government published the Online Harms White Paper, which sets out our plans for world-leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.