Meeting of the Parliament 30 April 2024
I recognise what Mr Cole-Hamilton says, and I am happy to have further discussions with him on that.
Today, because it is a source of particular concern for some people, I will focus on silent prayer. I appreciate the considered discussions that I have had with members on the topic. I know that it is a difficult and complex subject. I am also aware that prayer is, for many, an act of profound significance. The bill does not, either by intent or in effect, undermine this Government’s respect for that or the right of anyone, whatever their faith, to hold whatever belief they choose.
The bill criminalises behaviour—I am paraphrasing here—that is intended to influence a decision to access or provide services, impede access to services or cause alarm, harassment or distress to someone accessing or providing services, or is reckless as to whether it does those things. The bill does not criminalise silent prayer. The offences have been defined in that way to avoid unintentionally creating loopholes.
However, two points have been made on that that relate to silent prayer, the first of which is that activities such as displaying placards or carrying out silent prayer are not harmful. I recognise that that belief is sincerely held, but I must point out that the sincerity of that belief does not change the impact—and members have already heard from Ms Mackay what that impact is. Indeed, the Supreme Court acknowledged that impact in its ruling on the Northern Ireland legislation. It is therefore right and necessary that such activities can be caught if circumstances require.
Secondly, it has been said that, by allowing prayer to be potentially caught at all, we are criminalising thought.