Member

Why am I therefore suggesting we also remove the word “alarm” from Section 5 as well as Section 4A? The reason is simple: it is too easy for police and prosecutors to focus on the perceived impact of words spoken rather than the nature of the words spoken or the intent behind them. If a member of the public, perhaps even an activist for a cause, complains to police about the message preached by a Christian street preacher, it is too easy for the fact that the member of the public is alarmed by what they have heard to trigger or prejudge an investigation. This could have an untold chilling effect on freedom of speech.