Free speech under threat as Labour’s ‘banter ban’ could silence football fans from shouting ‘are you blind?’ at referee
Football fans could face restrictions on shouting “Are you blind?” at referees under Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, a peer has warned.
Lord Young has raised concerns that the new legislation could threaten free speech at matches.
He fears the bill, which makes employers liable for staff harassment, could lead to a “banter ban” at football grounds across the country.
The warning suggests clubs might be forced to silence fans to avoid potential lawsuits.
Football fans could face restrictions on shouting ‘Are you blind?’ at referees under Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, a peer has warned
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The bill would make employers responsible for preventing harassment in the workplace, including protecting staff with protected characteristics.
Under the proposed legislation, football clubs could be held liable if they fail to prevent an offensive environment for their employees.
Lord Young suggested this liability could force clubs to take extreme measures to avoid legal action.
“It would force clubs to insist on absolute silence during matches,” he warned in his criticism of the bill.
Lord Young specifically highlighted how a partially-sighted steward could potentially take a club to court if offended by fans’ chants.
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His comments reflect growing anxiety about unintended consequences of the Employment Rights Bill.
Angela Rayner’s law makes bosses liable for failing to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent an “intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment” for people with protected characteristics like disability.
The Employment Rights Bill aims to strengthen workplace protections against harassment.
Critics worry the broad language could lead to overzealous enforcement in public venues like football stadiums.
The legislation’s focus on protected characteristics means comments perceived as targeting disabilities could potentially fall under scrutiny.
Concerns extend beyond football stadiums, with fears that pubs might also restrict speech under the new legislation.
Critics suggest bar owners could stop customers from discussing contentious topics if these conversations might offend staff members.
Under the proposed legislation, football clubs could be held liable if they fail to prevent an offensive environment for their employees
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This potential “chilling effect” on everyday conversation has added to the controversy surrounding the bill.
Ministers have firmly rejected suggestions that the legislation will restrict free speech.
A government spokesman told The Times: “The Employment Rights Bill will not affect anyone’s right to lawful free speech, which this government stands firmly behind.”
They added: “Upsetting remarks do not fall within the definition of harassment.”
The Government maintains they are simply “strengthening workplace protections to tackle harassment and protect employees from intimidating and hostile abuse as well as sexual harassment.”