It’s OK to use the C-word to describe Scientology in Edinburgh, but not Glasgow

HATS off to Edinburgh City Council bosses who said this week that they had “no objection” to the use of the word “cult” to describe the cult of Scientology.

Their decision follows the barmy police action taken at the beginning of May against a young anti-Scientology protestor in London, who was served with a summons for holding up a sign which read “Scientology is not a religion, it is a dangerous cult.”

He was informed by City of London police that his placard breached the Public Order Act, which makes it an offence to display a “threatening, insulting or abusive” sign.

The Crown Prosecution Service has since ruled the word was neither “abusive nor insulting” to the church, and said that no action would be taken against the teenager.

According to The Scotsman, to avoid similar problems in Scotland, protesters who regularly rally outside the Scientology centre on South Bridge contacted the city council to ascertain where they stood legally.

A council official replied:

I understand that some of the signs you use may display the word ‘cult’ and there is no objection to this.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman also said the force had “no issue” with the use of word as part of a peaceful protest.

Jen Corlew, media director with human rights group Liberty, said:

The leadership shown by the City of Edinburgh Council’s decision to protect free speech is a positive step.

And Shami Chakrabarti, the director of Liberty, which came to the teenager’s defence, added:

We want to know who gave the instruction to issue this summons. Curtailing people’s freedom of speech is a very serious issue and it’s important to know whether this is part of the force’s policy or a decision relating specifically to the Church of Scientology. There is the possibility of a complaint to the IPCC ((Independent Police Complaints Committee) or a judicial review.

Interviewed by The Guardian, Chakrabarty said she was concerned the police action could have a “chilling effect” on other protesters who wanted to express their opinions.

Some people are very easily intimidated and will be put off exercising their right to free speech by the thought that they may face court action over it. We have to defend that right and show how wrong the police were in issuing this summons.

UPDATE JUNE 2: Police at the weekend ordered anti-Scientology protesters to remove banners displaying the C-word during a protest in Glasgow.

Strathclyde Police admitted officers had stopped activists using the word “cult” after receiving a complaint.

A spokeswoman said:

The word is not a breach of the peace in itself. However, in this case it was exacerbating the situation and our stance was that we had to remove that. From a policing point of view, a balance has to be struck between the right to assemble and hold a meeting and other persons’ rights to go about their business or demonstrate without being obstructed or hindered.