Britain to expel for ‘hate’ speech

LONDON — Britain outlined tough new rules yesterday under which “preachers of hate,” who promote or glorify terrorism, will be thrown out of the country or banned from entering it.

“We have a number of names that we are considering at the moment,” and the first deportations could come “very quickly — in the next few days,” Home Secretary Charles Clarke said.

Mr. Clarke itemized a list of “unacceptable behavior” to signal the start of a crackdown that Prime Minister Tony Blair alluded to earlier this month when he said, “Let no one be in any doubt that the rules of the game are changing.”

The list announced by Mr. Clarke includes any act or speech that:

• Foments, justifies or glorifies terrorist violence.

• Seeks to provoke others to terrorist acts.

• Foments other serious criminal actions or attempts to provoke others to commit serious crimes.

• Fosters hatred that threatens to lead to ethnic violence.

Unlike the United States, Britain has no First Amendment and some restrictions on free speech and a free press are enshrined in law. For example, reporters covering public trials are often limited on what they can write or say about court proceedings.

The toughened ground rules announced yesterday target radical Islamic clerics, whom British authorities blame for inspiring the July 7 suicide attacks on London’s transportation system in which 56 persons, including the four bombers, were killed. About 750 others were injured.

Human rights advocates condemned the government’s effort.

Britain is facing a “real and significant” threat from terrorists, and the government and law-enforcement agencies must take countermeasures, Mr. Clarke said.

“That includes tackling those who seek to foster hatred or promote terrorism, sending a strong message that they are not welcome in the UK,” he said.

“These powers are not intended to stifle free speech or legitimate debate about religions or other issues,” Mr. Clarke said. “Britain is rightly proud of its openness and diversity, and we must not allow those driven by extremism of any sort to destroy that tradition.”

Officials said the Blair government’s rules are intended to clarify powers that the home secretary already possesses under Britain’s 1971 Immigration Act.

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