At Prime Minister’s Questions (“PMQs”) Keir Starmer refused to rule out introducing blasphemy laws after a Labour MP demanded the Prime Minister prohibits the “desecration of religious texts”, including the Koran, GB News reported.

The question was put to Starmer by Tahir Ali, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Mosley, who represents Britain’s second-most Muslim constituency. Although Ali made mention of all Abrahamic religions, his question was framed in the context of the UK marking Islamophobia Awareness Month.

David Davis, Member of Parliament for Goole and Pocklington, tweeted a clip from yesterday’s PMQs and said, “For centuries, one of the most important features of Britain’s freedom of speech is the absolute right to criticise religion. Freedom of speech is fundamental to everything we have and everything we stand for. I regret Keir Starmer did not make that clear to Mr Ali at PMQs.”

The Times columnist and regular writer for the Wall Street Journal Matt Ridley, re-tweeted Davis’ tweet with the comment, “A truly black moment for Britain to hear a prime minister effectively endorse the idea that we should reintroduce blasphemy laws.”

Both GB News and Ridley are misappropriating the Blasphemy laws which were in place to protect the Christian faith as the foundation of Britain’s laws and customs. The laws were not intended to protect all religions.