Tory PM hopeful sparks anger after attacking online hate proposals

Conservative leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch has angered a leading campaigner against antisemitism after saying the Online Safety Bill is “in no fit state to become law”.

She criticised the Bill – which was designed to protect children from harm online, as well as preventing the spread of anti-Jewish racism, in a tweet on Wednesday.

It followed reports the legislation’s final stages through parliament had been delayed until September.

Former faith minister Badenoch said postponing the Bill was the “right move”.

She added:”This would be the right move. The Bill is in no fit state to become law.

“If I’m elected prime minister I will ensure the Bill doesn’t overreach. We should not be legislating for hurt feelings.”

She added that if she were to be successful in her bid to become leader, she would “ensure the bill doesn’t overreach”.

Former Tory chairman Oliver Dowden had previously hailed the Online Safety Bill as world-leading legislation to tackle issues like antisemitism online.

Badenoch had earlier criticised the legislation during a leadership campaign event at the start of the week.

She continued to stay in the Tory Leadership race on Thursday, after attracting the backing of 49 MPs.

Danny Stone, director of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, who has long argued in favour of the legislation, particularly in regards to tackling racist hate online, was amongst those to criticise Badenoch.

Stone, who has appeared in front of parliamentary committee’s scrutinising the Bill, tweeted the Tory PM hopeful saying:”I’d be pleased to discuss the Bill with you as I think you misrepresent what it does.

“In parliamentary questions you were supportive of it for what it does on eg antisemitism.”

“Your new position should be clearer to avoid undermining that effort.”

Jewish News understands that other senior Tory MPs, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of antisemitism, are also “concerned” by the attacks on the Bill.

MPs on the right of the Tory Party, and some Jewish supporters of Badenoch, believe the Bill will give the state powers to police the internet and is an attack on free speech.

Damian Collins, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, including responsibility for the Online Safety Bill, also tweeted”This is completely wrong Kemi Badenoch – tell me where in this bill there is any provision that requires the removal of legal speech.

“Instead for the first time we can set safety standards online based on our laws. Why would you want to stop that.”

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, who is overseeing the bill’s passage through Parliament, also criticised Badenoch’s stance tweeting: “Which part of the Bill legislates for hurt feelings, Kemi?”

In Thursday’s ballot result Suella Braverman was eliminated having got 27 votes, Tom Tugendhat received 32, Badenoch 49, Liz Truss 64, Penny Mordaunt 83, and Rishi Sunak 101.

Ministers are set to drop the Online Safety Bill from next week’s business, postponing its final Commons stages until at least the autumn.

Government sources blamed Labour, which had sought a no confidence vote. “Labour reduced the amount of time for genuine parliamentary business so they could play politics. They are reaping what they sowed,” said a government source.

Labour dismissed this claim.

Dorries tweeted later:”Online safety bill hasn’t been pulled, or dropped at all.
“Thanks to Labour grandstanding with a no confidence vote in the PM next week, we’ve run out of Parliamentary time to debate, meaning children and young people will be vulnerable and exposed for much longer.”