The Free Speech Union
Welcome to the Free Speech Union’s podcast. Listen to our weekly episodes with great guests speaking about the cornerstone of our democracy which is under attack. The Free Speech Union is a non-partisan, mass membership public interest body that stands up for the speech rights of its members and campaigns for free speech more widely. We champion the right of people from all walks of life to express themselves without fear of punishment or persecution. We often come to the defence of our members who get into trouble for exercising their right to lawful free speech, whether in the wor...
THE FREE SPEECH UNION SIX YEARS ON | Live from the Battle of Ideas
In October 2026, the Free Speech Union passed two major milestones: membership exceeded 50,000, while the number of cases it had handled since Lord Young founded the organisation in 2020 surpassed 7,000.
In this special edition of the podcast, recorded live at the 2026 Battle of Ideas festival, senior members of the FSU team take questions from the audience and discuss the organisation’s rapid growth, its approach to casework and the issue that has overtaken gender-critical speech as the dominant theme in its caseload.
Host: Connie Shaw, External Affairs Officer, the Free Speech Union
Panel: Dr Jan Ma...
ANDREW LOWNIE: The Royal Family, Epstein, FOI Battles and Britain’s Culture of Secrecy
Andrew Lownie is the author of a best-selling exposé about the former Prince Andrew.
When the FSU's David Rose asks Lownie whether we have free speech about the Royal Family, his answer is blunt: “No, absolutely not.”
In this wide-ranging conversation, Lownie explains how access, patronage, legal threats and secrecy shape public discussion of the monarchy — and why he believes his determination to expose the truth made him a target of state surveillance.
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EXPOSED: Flawed Evidence Behind Burnham's Misinformation Crackdown
Is Britain sleepwalking into a new censorship regime?
In this episode, Lord Young talks to Free Speech Union policy and research director David Rose about his new briefing paper, Misinformation about Misinformation, and the weak evidence being used to justify ever-tighter controls over what people can say and see online.
David argues that claims about the threat of “misinformation” are being exaggerated to legitimise a far-reaching apparatus of monitoring, regulation and suppression — one that could privilege state-approved narratives while pushing dissenting or independent voices out of view.
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MAEVE HALLIGAN on trans activism, free speech and campus censorship
The Free Speech Union's Connie Shaw is joined by her friend and fellow activist Maeve Halligan.
They met through free speech, gender critical networks in London while undergraduates at different universities. At university, both found themselves at odds with a woke orthodoxy which seemed particularly popular among female students.
When Maeve Halligan spoke against trans activism at a Cambridge Union debate in summer 2026, her speech went viral. It was a spectacular finale to her year as founder president of the Cambridge University Society of Women (CUSW).
Maeve explains why, even though she lost...
Trump, Free Speech and a Million-Dollar Lawsuit | Jeff Stein
Is Donald Trump undermining press freedom?
Veteran US journalist and SpyTalk editor and podcast host Jeff Stein joins David Rose on the Free Speech Union podcast to discuss Trump’s clashes with the media and the million-dollar defamation lawsuit that could have cost Stein his home. He explains how Substack Defender funded his successful legal defence, why costly libel actions can silence independent journalists and what his case means for free speech in the US and UK.
#freespeech #censorshipdebate #pressfreedom
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JAKE HURFURT: The Truth Behind the Viral Police Doorstep Raid
A shocking video of police turning up on the doorstep of a teenager's home went viral in 2025. Officers demanded devices, barged into the house, and seized a young girl's phone over an unverified social media allegation.
Jake Hurfurt of Big Brother Watch investigated what happened next. What he uncovered is shocking.
In this episode of the Free Speech Union podcast, Jake joins the FSU's David Rose to unpack what really happened in that viral case, and how it fits into a nationwide crisis of over 62,000 communications arrests across the UK.
Read Jake Hurfurt's...
Reported to Prevent, Ousted from Job & Cancelled: REVD DR BERNARD RANDALL
In this episode of The Free Speech Union podcast, Connie Shaw speaks with Reverend Dr Bernard Randall, who underwent a seven-year battle after delivering a sermon encouraging pupils at Trent College in Nottinghamshire to think critically and respect diverse viewpoints on sex and gender.
Trent College was a Christian school and had employed Bernard as its chaplain. But the school had adopted a woke agenda. After Bernard's sermon, he was banned from preaching in the school chapel. He was also secretly reported to the government's counter extermism programme, Prevent. Bernard describes years of tribunal proceedings and Church...
"Blasphemy by the back door": Ex cop convicted for Facebook post
Stephen Gray, a retired police officer and foster parent, tells Connie Shaw how a reposted Facebook joke led to police at his door, the seizure of his shotgun certificate, a prosecution under the Communications Act and a criminal conviction.
He explains why he believes the joke made a political point about child marriage in Islam, why he is appealing the conviction with the Free Speech Union’s support, and what his case says about policing, the CPS and the shrinking space for lawful but offensive speech.
Please help the Free Speech Union fund Stephen's appeal ag...
ARDAY AFFAIR: The Press Must Remain Free
The death of Jason Arday has triggered calls for press regulation and censorship, including an “Arday’s Law” to limit the number of articles written about one person.
Graeme Wood is a free speech absolutist and a staff writer at The Atlantic. He joins the Free Speech Union’s Director of Research and Policy, David Rose, to discuss the Jason Arday plagiarism scandal, the backlash against journalists, and why calls for state regulation of the press should alarm anyone who values free speech.
#freespeech #censorshipdebate #pressfreedom
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CANCELLED for Islam Book Review: COLLIN MAY
Collin May had a successful academic and professional career, culiminating in his appointment in 2022 as chair of the Human Rights Commission for the Canadian province of Alberta.
But May's 2009 review of an academic book about Islam was about to destroy his career.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims, a lobby group with links to the Muslim Brotherhood, claimed that passages in May's review were offensive and Islamophobic. May was sacked after defending his review and refusing to resign.
In this powerful interview, May explains how this resulted him losing his home and his...
An Anthropology of Free Speech with Prof Matei Candea
The Charlie Hebdo attack divided Prof Matei Candea's friends. It also prompted him to embark on an anthropological study of free speech.
The result is "Reason, Carnival and Honour: An Anthropology of Free Speech", a book which explores the hidden assumptions behind free speech debates.
Professor Candea discusses his book with Dr Jan MacVarish, the Free Speech Union's director of national engagement.
#freespeech #censorshipdebate
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<...ANDREW DOYLE: New "Misinformation" Plan By Government Advisors Is Deeply Orwellian
Comedian, author and commentator Andrew Doyle joins FSU General Secretary Lord Young to discuss a little-noticed government-commissioned report on misinformation and its implications for public debate.
The report's Orwellian proposals include "psychological inoculation", "pre-bunking" and game-based "interventions" to steer the public towards state-approved political messages.
Andrew Doyle and Lord Young also discuss:
Why Andrew and Graham Linehan are working from Arizona Government proposals to give prominence online to approved news sources such as the BBC and Channel 4 News#freespeech #censorshipdebate #onlinesafety
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<...LUCY CONNOLLY: free speech campaigner
Sentenced to 31 months in prison for a tweet posted in anger after the Southport murders in 2024, Lucy Connolly pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred. But should she have opted for a jury trial instead? One year after her release from prison, she talks to the FSU's Connie Shaw about her new life as a free speech campaigner and the author of A Tweet Too Far?
#freespeech #twotierpolicing
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PAUL HOLDEN: Investigative Journalist on his fears for free speech under BURNHAM
Leaked documents obtained by investigative journalist Paul Holden revealed an anti-free speech project at the heart of the Starmer government.
In this edition of the Free Speech Union's podcast, Holden tells the FSU's David Rose why he fears free speech and online privacy could be further eroded under incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
#freespeech #onlineprivacy #labourparty
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JAMES ESSES: campaigner, therapist and parent
The latest threat to free speech on trans issues has been published by the government.
The draft Conversion Practices Bill purports to protect gay and trans people from abuse. It creates a new criminal offence, punishable with up to five years in prison.
Minister for Equalities, Emily Bailey MP, claims it won't stop parents and therapists talking openly to children with identity issues. She says it only crimnalises conversion practices which are abusive and which cause serious harm. However, James Esses, a therapist and campaigner who challenges children who believe they are "trapped in the...
TEENS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN - Your Questions Answered
The UK government plans to ban social media for under 16s. Is it digital ID by stealth? The Free Speech Union's general secretary, Lord Young, answers this and other questions sent in by FSU members. *Will VPNs might be banned? *Is it true that the ban won't apply to Bluesky? *How will it be enforced? *How has a similar ban worked in Australia? *Will it lead to more censorship and regulation of the media? Hosted by Jan McVarish, the FSU's education and events director. #freespeech #socialmediaban #digitalidentity Support the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/join Follow the Free Speech Uni...
NICK WALLIS: From the Post Office Scandal to the Trans Debate
Investigative reporter Nick Wallis played a leading role in exposing the Post Office scandal. His BBC documentaries helped uncover the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history and led to a public inquiry. Now Nick's turning his journalistic skills to exposing the medical and safeguarding harms caused by trans ideology. But this time, he doesn't have the backing of the BBC. "I got involved when it became a free speech issue," he tells the Free Speech Union's Connie Shaw. #freespeech #transgender #bbcnews
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NET ZERO has become a religion | Claire Coutinho
Former UK government Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho MP reveals how civil service "group think" stopped questioning of Net Zero. From misleading costings to attempts to silence dissent, Coutinho reveals why she believes the Climate Change Act needs a total reset. #freespeech #netzero #climatechange
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LIONEL SHRIVER’S chilling warning to free-speech defenders
Is the 'vibe shift' real? Or are we kidding ourselves that we are past “peak woke”?
Bestselling novelist Lionel Shriver joins the Free Speech Union’s general secretary Lord Young to explain why the 'long war' on free speech is just beginning.
They discuss
*Immigration: the subject of Lionel’s latest novel “A Better Life” and why immigration has become the litmus test for progressives.
*The Trans Debate: Why Lionel is resisting the urge to write the "predictable" trans novel. *Ideological Conformism: The chilling reason why most intellectuals choose "ideological collusion" over truth.<...
POLICE WHISTLEBLOWER: CRITICAL RACE THEORY at the Met
Ex-cop Rick Prior worked in the Met police's Culture, Diversity and Inclusion department. He reveals how he witnessed the adoption of the sort of woke ideologies that lead to two-tier policing and situations like the arrest of dying victim Henry Nowak. #freespeech #twotierpolicing #henrynowak
Read the Free Speech Union's briefing "With Fear and Favour: Britiain's Policing Emergency": https://freespeechunion.org/publications/fear-and-favour-policing-emergency
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Former BBC Editor ROB BURLEY on TRANS IDEOLOGY, Impartiality and Institutional Capture
Former BBC editor Rob Burley talks about his recent Unherd investigation: "Inside the capture of the BBC How transgenderism killed impartiality."
This is an insider account of how bosses at one of Britain’s most important institutions became scared of young, woke employees and speaking freely. #freespeech #bbc #bbcnews
Read Rob's article for Unherd: https://unherd.com/2026/05/inside-the-capture-of-the-bbc/
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Dropped by charity for her gender critical views: JANET MURRAY
Journalist Janet Murray tells Connie Shaw how her views about trans impacted her community choir. The "Singing Striders" were dropped by disability charity Scope from performing at the London Marathon. Scope objected to Janet's views, even though they were unrelated to her work with the choir. Scope backed down at the last minute, but too late for the show to go on. The choir row is just the latest attack Janet has suffered in a long campaign against her. #freespeech #transgender #ukpolitics
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Councillor John Edwards vs Bracknell Forest Council
After Independent Councillor John Edwards asked questions about a scheme for housing Afghan migrants, he found himself under investigation by the local council. Even though he was cleared by an independent investigator, he still faces a hearing and has had to launch a CROWDFUNDER to defend himself.
JOHN'S CROWDFUNDER: https://www.gofundme.com/f/silenced-for-telling-the-truth-about-an-afghan-hotel-scheme?attribution_id=sl:a3a0cd74-42ae-4834-88c9-c9ee17ae16da&lang=en_GB&ts=1778681504&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp20_t1&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link
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JOHN MCDONNELL MP: We need an inquiry into Labour Together now
The Labour MP and lifelong socialist reveals his fears about censorship, corporate spies and attempts to undermine democracy. #freespeech #pressfreedom #ukpolitics Plus, the Free Speech Union’s David Rose shares his exclusive investigation into a pro-censorship web of Labour apparatchiks. Read the FSU’s briefing, "Starmer’s Misinformation Mafia" now: https://freespeechunion.org//publications/starmers-misinformation-mafia Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union: X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion
KATIE LAM MP: Speaking the truth about grooming gangs
The conservative MP talks cover‑ups, community tensions, and free speech with FSU General Secretary Lord Young #GroomingGangs
#freespeech #onlinesafety
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UCL fresher who opposed the TRANS ORTHODOXY
Can a man be a woman? When student Samiksha Bhattacharjee organised a campus debate on the topic "all hell broke out." #transgender #charliekirk #UKPolitics
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The Green Party is a DANGER to society: Dr Shahrar Ali
Dr Shahrar Ali was the Deputy Leader of the Green Party from 2014 to 2016. He was removed as a spokeman for his gender critical views. Now, he believes the Greens are a danger to society. But he says it's not too late to save them. #islam #transgender #greenparty
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EXCLUSIVE: Student faces PROSECUTION for calling Hamas scarf a tea towel
Brodie Mitchell was banned from campus by Royal Holloway for telling a student that her Palestinian scarf looked like a tea towel. Now he might be prosecuted. #palestine #islam #israel
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Brodie Mitchell: https://www.tiktok.com/@brodie_uk
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Muslims should OPPOSE an Islamophobia definition: Fiyaz Mughal
Fiyaz Mughal OBE is a Muslim community activist who opposes the government's recent decision to publish an official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as 'anti-Muslim hostility'. He tells David Rose, the FSU's director of research and policy, why. Fiyaz is the founder of Faith Matters and of Tell MAMA, an organisation set up to help victims of anti-Muslim hate crime. #labour #IslamophobiaDebate #freespeech #islam
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<...Liz Truss: Muslim public prayers: "part of a game plan and a playbook."
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss on Islamism and why she's woken up to the issue of free speech. #Islam #labour #freespeech
The Liz Truss Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpILxhwF4a1H-iBA6Apb0FQ
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Can the UK Ever Have American Free Speech?
Toby Young scrutinises US lawyer Preston Byrne on his draft Free Speech Act for the UK. Plus, Ofcom v, 4Chan. #FreeSpeech #censorshipdebate #onlinesafetyact
Jim Ratcliffe has CLEARED the path for others: Jacob Rees-Mogg
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is a former cabinet minister and Conservative MP for North East Somerset, and now a GB News presenter. He says Jim Ratcliffe's comments about immigration has cleared the path for others, and that the Equality Act should be scrapped. What do you think?
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Karl Turner: Labour's Rebel Leader
FSU General Secretary Lord Young interviews Karl Turner MP, the leader of Labour's backbench rebellion against David Lammy's efforts to curtail the right to trial by jury.
Jim Ratcliffe has CLEARED the path for others: Jacob Rees-Mogg
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is a former cabinet minister and Conservative MP for North East Somerset, and now a GB News presenter. He says Jim Ratcliffe's comments about immigration have cleared the path for others, and that the Equality Act should be scrapped. What do you think? #reformuk #labour #equality Follow Jacob: https://x.com/Jacob_Rees_Mogg Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: https://x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freespeechunion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion/?locale=en_GB
Jack Anderton: Debating society BANS Reform UK
Jack Anderton is a political campaigner and adviser for Reform UK. Bangor University Debating and Political Society refused his request to speak and debate with students as part of his 'A New Dawn' tour, claiming that Reform UK members and representatives were "racist" "homophobic" and "transphobic". #reformuk #freespeech #university #cancelculture
Jack's events: https://jackanderton.com/events/
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Why Labour's 'Islamophobia' definiton is WAY worse than you thought...
David Rose is the Free Speech Union's Director of Research and Policy. His report on the Islamophobia working group has revealed that every single member has connections with Islamist organisations. #islam #freespeech #labour
READ THE REPORT IN FULL: https://freespeechunion.org/anti-free-speech-hostility-islamophobia.pdf
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Toby Young: The unintended consequences for free speech if Peter Mandelson’s title is stripped
The Peter Mandelson scandal is unfolding, and the Labour government are drafting legislation to grant themselves the power to strip Lord Mandelson of his title. Seems justifiable.
But could this have huge unintended consequences for all members of the House of Lords?
Founder and General Secretary of the Free Speech Union, and Conservative Peer, Toby Young thinks so.
#mandelson #labour #cancelculture
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https://x.com/SpeechUnion https...Why an ‘Islamophobia’ definition will censor the truth about grooming gangs — Charlie Peters
Charlie Peters is GB News’ National Reporter and an investigative journalist. He has extensively covered the grooming gangs scandal in the face of accusations of Islamophobia and racism. In this episode we discussed why the proposed ‘Islamophobia’ definition is dangerous for crucial work such as Charlie’s. Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow Charlie: https://x.com/CDP1882 Charlie’s groundbreaking documentary for GB News: https://youtu.be/VAGk2mvgBEk?si=kY9hv5qmFuHN8unM Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion
Vibe-shift: it’s the twilight years for politics as we knew it: Brendan O'Neill
This week, Jan Macvarish speaks to Brendan O’Neill about the regulation of Grok, how bad things were on Twitter before the Musk era and whether we can rely on billionaires to provide us with free speech. They then move on to discuss the inspiring struggle for freedom in Iran and whether Brits who support freedom and democracy would be prepared to take to the streets in a similar manner. Many political protests in the UK today seem to be favouring backwards foreign tyrannies or undermining the UK’s civic norms. What’s the correct perspective on the threat of authori...
ARRESTED for talking about puberty blockers: Lois McLatchie Miller
Lois McLatchie Miller is a free speech campaigner and a Christian writer and commentator. In 2025 she was arrested by fourteen police officers in Brussels, alongside Bill Board Chris, for wearing a signs that read “children cannot consent to puberty blockers” and “children are never born in the wrong body”. Follow Lois on X: https://x.com/LoisMcLatch Lois’ substack: https://tradical.substack.com/ Lois’ arrest: https://x.com/LoisMcLatch/status/1931484693322416199?s=20 Join the Free Speech Union: https://freespeechunion.org/ Follow the Free Speech Union X/Twitter: x.com/SpeechUnion Instagram: www.instagram.com/freespeechunion Facebook: www.facebook.com/SpeechUnion
