Freedom of speech in the UK?????

Well in some ways the cancelled scientist, probably brilliant, is a bit of a twit.

He must be aware of the ultra cautious approach surrounding Porton Down - in fact it is a very secure biological weapons military establishment. There’s no way a potential unknown threat should be allowed access to officials /information at the conference arranged by Porton Down.

Of course the scientist can tweet away about the government to his heart’s content but don’t be surprised at consequences in the area of work he finds himself. He could so easily be working for any government…..

bylinetimes.com/2023/05/23/i-was-cancelled-by-sunaks-government-for-criticising-them-on-twitter/

Here's the cancelled scientist.

I hate de platforming, I find people who cant listen to different viewpoints incredibly weak.

varian

Exactly maddyone

Why should experts in any field be de-platformed if they criticise thje Tory Party?

You can say that about any deplatforming, why is it allowed to happen. University Hall or conferance room. Don't agree with any of it.

Their conference, their decision on who to invite.

Germanshepherdsmum

They probably have someone equally well qualified to speak.

and praise the party at the same time, presumably!

We don't have freedom of speech in the UK, we have Individual liberty based on Tolerance and Respect

But obviously they don't like being disagreed with and it just looks a bit weak

Exactly maddyone

Why should experts in any field be de-platformed if they criticise thje Tory Party?

Apparently it was a government event. He says he is a Lib Dem. Actually I don’t see any conflict in that, except apparently he wrote Bloody Tories on his Twitter account. I suppose that’s the reason, although as an expert on this subject, I don’t think he should have been uninvited. It should have been made clear to him that this was a conference to discuss and learn about chemical weapons, and not to criticise any political party.

They probably have someone equally well qualified to speak.

Germanshepherdsmum

If it’s a government-run conference why should they invite someone who has openly criticised them?

Surely one can't seriously suggest that a scientific conference should only include those who agree with the Party currently in government?

You will never learn anything if you only listen to people who agree with you.

I would have thought what he had to say about such a massivley important subject, with the expertise that got him invited to talk about it- would have been more important.

Good point GSM.

If it’s a government-run conference why should they invite someone who has openly criticised them?