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Lord Pannick (CB)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 17 December 2025

Debate

Crime and Policing Bill

Contribution

The Minister is making a very strong case as to the principle behind these clauses, as did the noble Baroness, Lady Doocey. But will he address the specific concern of the Constitution Committee that the language used in these provisions—the concepts of “insulting” and “distress”—is too broad? As he knows, the Constitution Committee concluded: “These clauses should be drawn more narrowly and the Government should more clearly define the terminology within the Bill”. Will the Government reflect on that before Report and come back with a more precise definition in these provisions?

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