Atkinson highlights pitfalls

Rowan Atkinson has criticised government plans to outlaw "incitement to religious hatred", saying it could stifle comedy.

In a letter to the Times, the comic wrote: "I am aghast at the notion that it could, in effect, be made illegal to imply ridicule of a religion or to lampoon religious figures.

"I am aghast at the notion that it could, in effect, be made illegal to imply ridicule of a religion or to lampoon religious figures."

He said that films such as Monty Python's Life of Brian, criticised at the time of its release for supposed blasphemy, could be illegal under the proposed law.

Atkinson accepts that comedians are not the target of the proposed legislation, but argues they would fall foul of its implications.

He concluded: " I believe that it is the reaction of the audience that should decide the appropriateness of a joke, not the law of the land.

"For telling a good and incisive religious joke, you should be praised. For telling a bad one, you should be ridiculed and reviled. The idea that you could be prosecuted for the telling of either is quite fantastic."

But Downing Street maintains that measures planned by Home Secretary David Blunkett will protect the freedom of speech.

Published: 17 Oct 2001