CRIMINAL prosecution lies ahead for a 15-year-old boy who held up a banner saying, “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.”
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The unnamed teenager took part in a demo outside the Scientology UK HQ in the City of London this month, but fell foul of police, who took the offending sign away.
“Within five minutes of arriving I was told by a member of the police that I was not allowed to use that word, and that the final decision would be made by the inspector,” the teenager said.
Police confirmed the account. “One demonstrator continued to display a placard despite police warnings and was reported for an offence under section five of the Public Order Act. A file on the case will go to the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service],” said a spokesperson for the City of London force.
“City of London Police upholds the right to demonstrate lawfully, but we have to balance that with the right of all sections of community not to be alarmed, harassed or distressed as a result of other people’s behaviour,” added Chief Superintendent Rob Bastable.
Besides the world “cult”, police were also unhappy with the phrase, “Scientology kills”.
Civil liberties groups are up in arms at the clear erosion of free speech. “This barmy prosecution makes a mockery of Britain’s free speech traditions,” said Shami Chakrabarti of Liberty.
Suspicions have been voiced that the City of London force, separate from the Metropolitan Police force which covers the rest of London, is too willing to bend to the will of the Scientologists.
City of London officers aroused controversy around the opening of the Scientology centre two years ago when it was found that more than 20 officers took expensive gifts from the Scientologists. Kevin Hurley, City of London Chief Superintendent, even said the organisation backed by Tom Cruise was, “raising the spiritual wealth of society”.
