So a private citizen (is there another sort) has brought a private prosecution of boris the clown for misconduct in public office
Boris lied in the referendum
I’m not sure anyone disagrees that what he said was false
The immediate response is that the judiciary should not be involved and that it should be left to the electorate to punish him at the ballot box
I’m not sure I agree. It was by all accounts significant in the result. Should lying to win an election be protected free speech?
I don’t know what your constitution says, but, our Constitution does not protect false statements under the umbrella of free speech.
Should lying to win an election be protected free speech?
Please point to the politician who didn’t lie to win. Yeah, some are worse than others. But they all lie.
Some are much much worse. Much. Worse. Much much worse. Or better, depending on your point of view. The best.
We don’t have a written constitution 
I’d have thought it was a dangerous path to descend down, but I’m not sure how you reign in charlatans…
This why a free, CURIOUS and objective press is important.
I don’t know what your constitution says, but, our Constitution does not protect false statements under the umbrella of free speech.
It was just puffery.
Should lying to win an election be protected free speech?
Please point to the politician who didn’t lie to win. Yeah, some are worse than others. But they all lie.
Some are much much worse. Much. Worse. Much much worse. Or better, depending on your point of view. The best.
This
.
similar but different, and more in my wheelhouse, is/should someone who convinces people not to take vaccines be protected by free speech?
here again, you can always argue a right to free speech generally, but then is there some different duty associated with ‘public figures’ or with information that has serious implications for public health or policy?
That’s actually a much better example
.
the offence of “misconduct in public office” can lead to a life sentence according to the BBC. A little unfair to Boris’ cellmate.
in principle i don’t think it is unreasonable for it to be a crime for those in public office to knowingly tell outrageous lies to the public, especially if there is a personal gain such as a better job with more power as a reward. Hard to know where the line is but Boris knew the UK net payment to the EU wasn’t 350 million a week (he’s an ex foreign secretary so should know), and that leaving the EU wouldn’t miraculously free up that amount for the NHS…
i don’t see how bringing charges like this won’t just clog up the court system with lying public office holders though.
Yes it does:
Remember when Harry Reid falsely proclaimed that Mitt Romney paid no taxes in 12 years?
Yes it does:
https://politics.stackexchange.com/…-penalty/30746#30746
Remember when Harry Reid falsely proclaimed that Mitt Romney paid no taxes in 12 years?
That’s different. That’s not “free speech” under the First Amendment. That is covered in the body of the Constitution (Article 1, to be specific) and applies to members of the Congress.
This why a free, CURIOUS and objective press is important.
Careful, there. Talk like that will get you kicked off the ball washer squad. 
So a private citizen (is there another sort) has brought a private prosecution of boris the clown for misconduct in public office
Boris lied in the referendum
I’m not sure anyone disagrees that what he said was false
The immediate response is that the judiciary should not be involved and that it should be left to the electorate to punish him at the ballot box
I’m not sure I agree. It was by all accounts significant in the result. Should lying to win an election be protected free speech?
It is a long time since the word honourable applied to any of our MP’s and Boris Johnson/Nigel Farage are 2 of the worst. He didn’t just lie he deceived the public and built a dishonourable campaign around it. He has Parliamentary priviledge and can say what he wants in the House of Commons. As soon as he says it on the street he is bound by the same duty of trust as the rest of us.
Hopefully, it will set a precedent in case law and all politicians will be bound to tell the truth as part of their campaign claims.
I hope Farage and Rees-Hobbs are next because apparently they are pooping themselves.