Coroners and Justice Bill

I must say, it is not only the way I read it, but any sensible person who gives the words their plain English meaning must come to the same conclusion. Clearly, if I make an expression which "of itself" amounts to no more than a reasoned criticism, it cannot be threatening, but it is perfectly plain from Lord Waddington's amendment—indeed, I have not heard the Government challenge this or suggest otherwise—that if the words constituted threats, anyone standing up in court and saying, "Well, I was justified in making the threat because it was just part of a criticism of somebody else's way of life or habits," would not get off the hook. I entirely concur that it would be grossly improper if they did. For those reasons, Lord Waddington's amendment provides considerable comfort to those who happen to have to strong views about how people should conduct themselves, and it does nothing to diminish the ability to prosecute this offence.