In the House of Lords on the evening of Monday 21st April Lord Waddington succeeded in amending the incitement to "homophobic hatred" offence to include a free speech provision. Just before midnight Peers voted 81 to 57 in favour of this amendment.
Thank you to all those who prayed for this and/or who contacted Peers to attend this crucial vote. We thank God for answered prayer.
Though the Government seems to have tried to wrong foot Peers who wanted to vote for the free speech clause by unexpectedly extending the debate on Monday 21st April and switching the vote from Wednesday 23 April (when it was
anticipated) to Monday 21st, sufficient Peers felt strongly enough to attend and stayed late to support Lord Waddington's amendment to maintain freedom of speech.
This is the amendment:
'In this Part, for the avoidance of doubt, the discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices or the urging of persons to refrain from or modify such conduct or practices shall not be taken of itself to be threatening or intended to stir up hatred.'
This is the link to last night's debate - the relevant part starts at Column 1365
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80421-0017.htm
This is the link for how Peers voted from Column 1377:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80421-0019.htm