Christian group's blasphemy case dismissed
A petition brought by Christian Voice, an evangelical Christian organisation, seeking to overturn a High Court ruling preventing a private blasphemous libel prosecution against the BBC and theatrical producers of Jerry Springer – The Opera has been dismissed by the House of Lords.
The petition did ‘not raise an arguable point of law of general public importance.’ Stephen Green, a spokesman for Christian voice rejected the dismissal observing ‘It brings the judgment of God down on us all.’
Christian Voice had brought judicial review proceedings against the decision not to prosecute the BBC and stage show producers which failed. The High Court ruled that the broadcast could not be considered blasphemous and was not, as a whole, an attack on the Christian religion or its symbols. The production ran for two years in London without giving rise to protest or civil strife.
The dismissal of the petition comes amidst a wider debate on the abolition of the blasphemy laws.
Click here for the 5RB case report and full judgment.
Links
- Springer case dismissed by Lords – BBC News
- Blasphemy and law – Times
- Archbishops question timing of plans to abolish blasphemy laws – Guardian