The United States has taken aim at Britain over what it calls “serious human rights concerns,” accusing the UK of tightening the reins on free speech.
In its latest Human Rights Practices report, the U.S. State Department claimed that conditions in the UK “worsened” in 2024, pointing to credible reports of “serious restrictions on freedom of expression” and a rise in antisemitic-related threats and violence following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
While acknowledging that Britain generally protects free speech, the report highlights troubling “grey areas” — especially when political speech is deemed “hateful” or “offensive.” Specific examples include Public Space Protection Orders, which allow councils to restrict activities in certain areas, and “safe access zones” around abortion clinics to prevent harassment.
It also criticised the Online Safety Act, suggesting government interference may have stifled debate — particularly around the 2024 Southport murders, where arrests were made after riots. UK ministers argue the law is about protecting children, dismissing critics as being “on the side of predators.”
The timing of the report is interesting — it dropped while US Vice President JD Vance was holidaying in the Cotswolds. Vance has openly warned the UK against “going down a dark path” and previously raised concerns at the Munich Security Conference in February.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, isn’t having it. In a meeting with Vance earlier this year, he pushed back, saying: “We’ve had free speech for a very long time, it will last a long time, and we are very proud of that.” A government spokesperson echoed that sentiment, insisting the UK is committed to upholding freedoms while keeping citizens safe.
The State Department’s criticisms line up with complaints from figures like Nigel Farage and Elon Musk. But in a twist of irony, the Trump administration — where Vance is a senior figure — has also faced its own free speech controversies, especially in disputes with U.S. universities.
