A woman from Norwich who complained to the city council about a gay pride parade was investigated for potentially committing a hate crime and was interviewed by two police officers.
In her letter, Pauline Howe called gay people sodomites, said that gay sex spread disease and had contributed to the downfall of every major empire. But it is not this woman that is emboldening the anti-gay and fascist agenda, it is The Council's deputy chief executive Bridget Buttinger (pictured), that warned her and passed her letter on to the police, who after interviewing Pauline Howe, thankfully did not pursue the matter further.
That this woman has loony views is without question, but that the Bridget Buttinger from the Council threatened her and that she was interviewed by the police under the guise of protecting gay people from hate crimes is absurd and dangerous, and only serves to give fodder to the anti-gay and far right agenda as promoted by groups like the Christian Institute and the BNP.
The Council should have replied to saying that the same right that protects her writing her letter is the same right that allows the gay pride march to go ahead. She should be allowed to stand on the pavement as the march goes by and scream anti-gay obscenities till she is hoarse, such is the importance of free speech.
The fact that she was investigated for expressing her views gives the far right forces that want to destroy democratic values the ammunition they need. The fault lies squarely with Bridget Buttinger and other unelected officials in public bodies that are misinterpreting the laws to protect people against speech that incites violence and undermining the most valuable weapon against extremism, free speech.
You can tell Bridget Buttinger what you think of her actions by contacting her.
01603 212066 or email bridgetbuttinger@norwich.gov.uk
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