Memorandum submitted by W Walton (CJ&I 360)

Dear All,

I write to express my concern re a proposed amendment to the above Bill making It a criminal offence 'to incite hatred on the grounds of sexuality'.

· Clearly this will be yet another step in, the erosion of freedom of (a) religion and (b) of speech. There have been too many cases already of genuine people being interviewed by the police and some even prosecuted for expressing their views on sexuality.

· For many centuries it has been the wear orthodox belief in the Christian Churches (and I believe in some other religions) that homosexual acts are sinful. They should be allowed to continue to hold this belief and express it. At the same time Christians are taught to love homosexuals themselves.

· Yet another law is not needed as under existing criminal law people are protected from threatening words or behaviour.

October 2007