Keir Starmer Tells ‘Barefaced Lie’ To Donald Trump. Oh The Irony!

Keir Starmer told Donald Trump that the UK has free speech. But that’s a barefaced lie, particularly when it comes to support for Palestine or criticism of Israel.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Sir @Keir_Starmer told @realDonaldTrump that the UK has free speech. But that's a barefaced lie, particularly when it comes to support for Palestine or criticism of Israel. pic.twitter.com/blT6bRuLnF

— Chris Williamson (@DerbyChrisW) March 2, 2025

Well, Mr Starmer, let us take a closer look at some other examples too.

Twenty Limitations on Free Speech in the UK

In the UK, freedom of speech is protected under Article 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. However, this right is not absolute and is subject to certain limitations to protect other rights and public interests. Below is a list of key limitations to free speech in the UK:

1. Hate Speech

• It is illegal to use threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour that incite hatred based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or transgender identity under the Public Order Act 1986 and the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.

2. Defamation

• Libel (written defamation) and slander (spoken defamation) are civil offences. Making false statements that harm someone’s reputation can lead to legal action under the Defamation Act 2013.

3. Incitement to Violence

• Speech that incites violence or criminal activity is illegal under the Public Order Act 1986 and common law.

4. Obscenity and Indecency

• Distributing obscene or indecent material is restricted under the Obscene Publications Act 1959 and the Communications Act 2003.

5. National Security

• Speech that threatens national security, such as disclosing classified information or encouraging terrorism, is prohibited under the Official Secrets Act 1989 and the Terrorism Act 2006.

6. Contempt of Court

• Publishing information that could prejudice ongoing legal proceedings is restricted under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.

7. Harassment and Threats

• Using speech to harass, threaten, or cause distress is illegal under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Malicious Communications Act 1988.

8. Blasphemy (Historical Note)

• The common law offence of blasphemy was abolished in England and Wales in 2008, but it may still apply in certain contexts in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

9. Public Order Offences

• Speech that causes alarm, distress, or public disorder is restricted under the Public Order Act 1986.

10. Copyright Infringement

• Reproducing or distributing copyrighted material without permission is illegal under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

11. False Advertising

• Misleading or false advertising is regulated under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) codes.

12. Data Protection

• Sharing personal information without consent can breach the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

13. Election Offences

• Making false statements about candidates during elections is illegal under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

14. Restrictions on Public Protests

• While peaceful protest is protected, restrictions can be imposed under the Public Order Act 1986 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 to prevent disruption or harm.

15. Regulation of Broadcast Media

• Broadcasters must comply with Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code, which restricts harmful or offensive content under the Communications Act 2003.

16. Trade Secrets and Confidentiality

• Disclosing trade secrets or confidential information can lead to legal action under common law or contract law.

17. Restrictions on Political Extremism

• The Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 aims to stop individuals from being drawn into terrorism, which can limit certain forms of extremist speech.

18. Restrictions on Online Speech

• The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes duties on tech companies to remove illegal or harmful content, including hate speech, harassment, and disinformation.

19. Restrictions on Commercial Speech

• Certain types of commercial speech, such as promoting tobacco or unregulated financial services, are restricted under various laws and regulations.

20. Restrictions on Speech in Specific Contexts

• Speech in certain contexts, such as schools, workplaces, or public transport, may be restricted to maintain order and safety.

These limitations are designed to balance free speech with other rights and public interests, such as public safety, national security, and the protection of individuals from harm. Courts often assess whether restrictions are proportionate and necessary in a democratic society.

Donald Trump’s Top 20 Lies

1. Claims About Voter Fraud in the 2020 Election

• Claim: Trump repeatedly asserted that the 2020 presidential election was “stolen” from him due to widespread voter fraud.
• Fact: Multiple investigations, audits, and court rulings found no evidence of significant voter fraud. Election officials from both parties confirmed the election was secure and fair.

2. Size of His Inauguration Crowd

• Claim: Trump insisted that his 2017 inauguration crowd was the largest in history.
• Fact: Photographic evidence and official estimates showed his crowd was smaller than Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration.

3. Obama Wiretapping Trump Tower

• Claim: Trump accused President Obama of wiretapping Trump Tower during the 2016 campaign.
• Fact: No evidence was ever found to support this claim, and the Department of Justice denied it.

4. COVID-19 Misinformation

• Claim: Trump repeatedly downplayed the severity of COVID-19, suggesting it would “disappear” and comparing it to the flu.
• Fact: COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths worldwide and was far more severe than the flu.

5. Wind Turbines and Cancer

• Claim: Trump stated that noise from wind turbines causes cancer.
• Fact: There is no scientific evidence to support this claim.

6. The US-Mexico Wall

• Claim: Trump claimed Mexico would pay for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.
• Fact: Mexico never agreed to pay for the wall, and US taxpayers funded its construction.

7. Hurricane Dorian and Alabama

• Claim: Trump insisted that Alabama was at risk from Hurricane Dorian, despite official forecasts showing otherwise.
• Fact: The National Weather Service corrected his statement, confirming Alabama was not in the storm’s path.

8. Tax Cuts and the Economy

• Claim: Trump frequently claimed his tax cuts were the largest in history.
• Fact: While significant, they were not the largest in US history when adjusted for inflation.

9. Climate Change

• Claim: Trump has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a “hoax.”
• Fact: The overwhelming scientific consensus confirms that climate change is real and driven by human activity.

10. Personal Wealth and Business Success

• Claim: Trump often exaggerated his wealth and business success.
• Fact: Investigations, including by The New York Times, revealed he inherited a significant portion of his wealth and faced multiple business failures.

11. The Russia Investigation

• Claim: Trump called the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election a “witch hunt.”
• Fact: The investigation led to multiple indictments and convictions, though it did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

12. Trade Wars and Tariffs

• Claim: Trump claimed that China was paying for the tariffs he imposed.
• Fact: Economists and studies showed that US consumers and businesses bore the cost of the tariffs.

13. The Size of the US Trade Deficit

• Claim: Trump often exaggerated the size of the US trade deficit.
• Fact: While the deficit was large, his figures were frequently inflated or misrepresented.

14. Claims About NATO

• Claim: Trump said NATO allies owed the US money.
• Fact: NATO members do not owe money to the US; they commit to spending 2% of their GDP on defense, which is not a direct payment to the US.

15. The Central Park Five

• Claim: Trump continued to insist on the guilt of the Central Park Five, even after they were exonerated by DNA evidence.
• Fact: The men were wrongfully convicted and later cleared of all charges.

16. The Size of the US Economy

• Claim: Trump frequently claimed the US economy under his administration was the best in history.
• Fact: While the economy performed well in some areas, historical data shows other periods (e.g., post-World War II) had stronger growth.

17. Claims About His Popularity

• Claim: Trump often claimed to have the highest approval ratings among Republicans or in history.
• Fact: His approval ratings were historically low compared to other modern presidents.

18. The Steele Dossier

• Claim: Trump dismissed the entire Steele dossier as false.
• Fact: While some parts of the dossier remain unverified, other aspects have been corroborated.

19. Claims About His Immigration Policies

• Claim: Trump said his administration was separating families at the border as a deterrent, but blamed Democrats for the policy.
• Fact: The policy was implemented by his administration, not Democrats.

20. The Size of the National Debt

• Claim: Trump claimed he reduced the national debt.
• Fact: The national debt increased significantly during his presidency.

Believing these propagandists is a fools errand. Do the hard graft ourselves.