The recent furore surrounding Gary Lineker’s comments draws into focus the ongoing inconsistencies surrounding freedom of speech.

The UK Independence Party firmly believe (as opposed to pretending to believe) that the law should protect all expressions of opinion however unpalatable they may be. That is a fundamental component of a society which is truly free.

The alternative is that someone will decide what is acceptable and what is not.

That someone could be Sadiq Khan, Angela Rayner, or Nicola Sturgeon. 

The libel laws will take care of any assaults on reputation.

Otherwise, it would appear that freedom of speech only matters when highly paid sports presenters choose to draw attention to themselves by using their status to promote their political agenda. 

Lesser-known teachers, doctors and police officers can be sacked or disciplined by the "cuddly" NHS or other public sector bodies for expressing conventional Christian viewpoints which until recently would be considered to be mainstream.

They don’t matter. They are on the "wrong" side of the argument.

It is difficult to believe that Mr Lineker is unaware of this. 

Perhaps he might wish to express support for the notion that all of us can present our beliefs freely without fear of losing our employment or even our personal liberty.

Donald MacKay

UK Independence Party - Culture and Woke Spokesman