Worrying Law in the Making…Naturists are justifiably worried that the authorities will abuse a new vague law allowing Asbos just for ‘annoyance to any person’

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See article from dailymail.co.uk

Naturists fear they will be forced to cover up under new laws designed to crack-down on yobs. New measures supposedly designed to curb anti-social behaviour could be used by police and the courts to stop them stripping off in public. The row centres on the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently being debated in the Commons. It includes power for the courts to grant an injunction against someone who has engaged in, or is threatening to engage in, anti-social behaviour . The law has been so widely drawn that police officers and magistrates courts could easily abuse their position to target people for just about anything. Under the new rule, an injunction could be granted if a person has engaged in conduct which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to any person . British Naturism warned that the new law: Is so open ended that it could be used and abused to prohibit or require just about anything. If history teaches us anything it is that if a power can be abused then it will be abused. We have absolutely no doubt that if it becomes law as currently worded then it will be used to prohibit naturism in a wide range of places. Beaches and gardens are a certainty and it may even include naturist events and clubs. A Home Office spokesman said: We want to give the police and other agencies the means to protect victims more effectively, not penalise certain behaviours. The “nuisance and annoyance” test is clear and well-established in law, and it will ultimately be for the courts to decide whether it is proportionate to grant an injunction restricting an individual from acting in a certain way.

Taking the Offensive…Index on Censorship find widespread self-censorship and fear of causing offence which is suppressing creativity and ideas in the UK

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See article from indexoncensorship.org See Taking the Offensive [pdf] from indexoncensorship.org

Widespread self-censorship and fear of causing offence is suppressing creativity and ideas in the United Kingdom, according to a report published by Index on Censorship. The findings are based on the January 2013 conference Taking the Offensive — defending artistic freedom of expression in the UK , the first national debate about the social, political and legal challenges to artistic freedom of expression. It brought together arts leaders with senior police, lawyers, media and internet executives, religious commentators and arts funders to explore challenges to artists and the growth of self-censorship in contemporary culture. There are multiple pressures on artistic freedom of expression and censorship has become a major issue for the arts sector in this country, the report reveals . Among the key findings: Widespread self-censorship at an institutional level is suppressing creativity and ideas, with some artists from black and ethnic communities experiencing additional obstacles Worries about public and media outrage or the loss of funding if they cause offence are causing many cultural institutions to be overly cautious in their choice of work at commission and production stages The fear of police intervention or legal action is fuelled by a lack of information about the legal framework around freedom of expression Some of the pressures on artistic free expression in the UK can be explained by a climate of caution and security consciousness. A preoccupation with risk assessment in arts organisations and public institutions, including the police, can lead to a prevalence of uncontentious, safe programming that limits both the range of voices and the space for artistic expression.

First Class…Peter Cushing honoured with a hundredth birthday commemorative postage stamp

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See article from starburstmagazine.com

The 26th May this year will be the 100th birthday of the legendary Peter Cushing. To mark the occasion the Royal Mail have produced a commemorative 1st class stamp featuring Cushing as Sherlock Holmes in a scene from Hammer’s 1959 Hound of the Baskervilles. The stamp is part of the Great Britons stamp set and will be issued on the 16th April 2013.

Not the ‘Legacy’ she was Hoping for…Liz Longhurst bemoans lack of prosecutions under the Dangerous Pictures Act

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See article from theargus.co.uk

Campaigner Liz Longhurst has said she is disappointed that the Dangerous Pictures Act banning extreme porn has not been implemented as well as it could have been. Longhurst, who campaigner alongside former Brighton Kemptown MP David Lepper for the law, part of the 2008 Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, to be implemented, spoke on the tenth anniversary of her daughter Jane’s death. She wanted watching extreme porn to be outlawed because her daughter Jane’s killer, Graham Coutts, looked at such pornographic images before killing her. Woefully uninformed, Longhurst said: I am very disappointed that the law has not been used more. As far as I am aware it has only been used on a handful of occasions. However, I am very glad there is such a law, even if I am disappointed it is not used as often as it could be. In fact the Dangerous Pictures Act has been used countless times. It is used by police to persecute those being investigated on other charges who have had to submit their computers for police search. It is also used to add to the charge list for those prosecuted on more serious charges. However Longhurst is right in one respect, it has been used very few times for the purpose that it was originally envisaged by Longhurst and co.

Immoral or What?…Sex shops subject to morality surcharge on Worcester City Council licence fees

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See article from worcesternews.co.uk

Sex establishments in Worcester are being charged almost ฃ4,000 if they want to open a new shop in Worcester — leading to criticism that council chiefs are taking a moral view. The city council has published a raft of licensing fees for 2013/14, revealing new sex shops are being charged 10 times what some other businesses are asked for to obtain a licence. Sex shops are charged ฃ3,798 for a new business or ฃ1,813 for a renewal in 2013/4. This compares with licences in the range ฃ118 – ฃ688 for other businesses, namely pet shops, riding establishments, zoos, dog breeders, boarding kennels, massage centres, and tattoo shops

Trade’s Down…UK adult industry trade association announces closure

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See article from erotictradeonly.com

UK adult trade body AITA has announced that its March AGM will be its last and that the association will be wound up immediately afterwards. An official announcement from AITA stated: With the limited resources available to AITA, it did not come as a surprise to learn that the majority of current members felt that AITA is underperforming in its provision of key services when considering their relative importance. It is clear that this cannot be addressed without a significant injection of cash. AITA has significantly reduced its running costs over the last three years, however with corresponding decreasing subscriptions it has been running at a significant loss since at least 2010. Due to the lack of ongoing support for AITA from the general UK adult industry, and after much deliberation, the committee believes that it is no longer tenable for AITA to continue after the end of the membership year (March 31st) and all committee members will resign on that date and the company closed down. The committee would like to thank all members for their support over the years. As individuals they will continue to work to support the UK adult industry where they can, offering ongoing advice in their particular area of expertise and continuing to network at adult industry events.

Turning a Blind Eye in the Public Gaze…Edinburgh’s licensed massage parlours up for license renewal. But this time the councillors will have to argue their case in the public gaze

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See article from scotsman.com

It is an element of Edinburgh life that is hidden in plain sight. For years the city’s sex industry has operated alongside businesses and homes in some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods without many being aware of its existence. Edinburgh’s licensed saunas, a discreet front for prostitution, are widely regarded as a pragmatic way of managing the sex industry. They sit side-by-side with shops and houses with little to suggest to passers-by that they are anything other than a convenient venue to enjoy a relaxing back massage. Edinburgh’s system is among the most liberal in the UK. Supporters of the system say it has kept many women off the streets and provided a safe environment for those engaged in sex work. But this week 13 of the city’s 15 saunas face a turning point. Their licences, which fall into the public entertainment category, are up for renewal on Wednesday and two objections have been lodged. One long-time critic, Michael Anthony, has written to members of Edinburgh City Council’s licensing sub-committee, pointing out that it is a criminal offence to operate a brothel. It is well established that Edinburgh saunas are brothels, he wrote. It is a criminal offence to operate a brothel. Anyone assisting committing of crime also commits an offence. Accordingly, councillors cannot grant entertainment licenses, or any other permission to operate a brothel. For now, the future of Edinburgh’s unique method of handling prostitution hangs in the balance. The closure of all or some of the saunas would change the face of the sex industry. Councillor Joanna Mowat, a former committee member, said: We don’t look too closely at what goes on in properties that are licensed for massage. But we may be pushed to change if Mr Anthony has evidence.

Nutter Pests…WH Smith place new age restrictions on hunting and shooting magazines

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See  article from  thedrum.com

Back in August The Drum revealed that animal rights activists were calling for country life magazines such as Shooting Times and The Field to be relegated to the top shelf of magazine racks. Britain’s largest newsagent, WH Smith, has now decided to introduce an over-14s age limit on magazines including the Shooting Times . A W H Smith spokesman said: As part of our commitment to operate our business responsibly, we have a till prompt on shooting titles. It asks our store teams to check that the customer is 14 years old or over, based on this being the legal age at which someone can possess a firearms certificate. Some sports enthusiasts have questioned the line of logic behind the decision as there is in fact no minimum age for holding a shotgun licence in Britain, although children below 18 cannot buy or own a gun themselves and under-14s must be supervised by an adult.

Pub Music Delicensed…A very rare instance of censorship law being reduced in Britain

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See  article from  bbc.co.uk

Venues in England and Wales with a capacity of under 200 people no longer need a licence for live music, as long as it is not late at night. The change in law is part of a government move to free businesses from a little of the mass of red tape. Live unamplified music can also now be played in any location, regardless of the audience size, under the act. However, the government has made it clear there would be no changes on the rules controlling gatherings of more than 5,000 people, boxing and wrestling, and events such as lap-dancing clubs classed as sexual entertainment. Musicians and business owners have welcomed the change, which will allow live music to be played between the hours of 08:00 and 23:00. Jazz musician Buster Birch described the change as a huge thing , adding that live music is very important for our society and our culture . UK Music, which represents the music industry, estimates that the Live Music Act could enable 13,000 more venues to start holding live music events. Business Minister Michael Fallon said: From today businesses are freed from the red tape that holds them back. He described the previous rules that affected pub gigs and small live performances as over-the-top bureaucracy that stifles community groups and pubs. We’ve set ourselves the challenging target of scrapping or reducing a total of 3,000 regulations. I’m determined to slim down regulation and make Britain an easier place to start and run a business. The change was introduced through a private member’s bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat Don Foster. The success is a relatively rare example of a House of Lords private member’s bill making it into law.

Scotland’s Never Ending Shame…Stephen Gough’s sentence extended to 6 years and 4 months for being naked in public

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See  article from  telegraph.co.uk

Naked Rambler Stephen Gough has been jailed for a further five months after refusing to get dressed and go home to England. He has been jailed ever since 25th August 2006. So his sentence has now totalled 6 years and 4 months. Gough appeared in court suitably naked for sentencing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, Fife. He was found guilty last month of committing a supposed breach of the peace by strolling naked near a swing park where children were playing in Dunfermline, also Fife, and refusing to put on clothes. Gough who insists he is not a naturist and claims his naked rambles are a protest , was initially removed from the dock after only five minutes when he refused to sit down so his privates were hidden by the wooden dock. After he was brought back in, and agreed to sit, the court heard he had refused to meet social workers and so no assessment was available. Persecutor Brian Robertson said the Crown was prepared to help him go back to England if he co-operated. Sheriff James Williamson told Gough, that he was concerned that he had not met or co-operated with social workers drawing up the background report ordered. The sheriff said: Will you meet with them and assist them? When Gough responded, No, not really , Sheriff Williamson said he had been left with no choice but to jail him for five months. [So why don't the authorities transfer him to a prison near his home in Hampshire whilst he is in custody?]