Overview

• Vice President JD Vance criticized the UK's free speech record during a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House, following earlier remarks at the Munich Security Conference.
• Vance highlighted incidents such as the arrest of individuals for silent prayer near abortion clinics and social media posts deemed offensive under UK laws.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his government's position, claiming the UK has a strong history of protecting free speech while addressing issues like terrorism and harmful content.
• Critics point to laws like the Online Safety Act and Investigatory Powers Act, which expand government oversight of speech and data, impacting both UK citizens and foreign entities.
• Free speech advocates argue that recent arrests for online posts, public prayers, and religious expression demonstrate a troubling erosion of fundamental rights in the UK.