In 1986 the United Kingdom government enacted the Public Order Act [see here]. For many this legislation has stifled not only insulting speech but most speech. Here’s the thing: if something that you say (that is speech) can wind you up in prison, why would you take a chance and say anything remotely controversial? Why bother having free speech at all when all speech must not insult or offend anyone? And finally, if all speech insults or offends no one, then are we dealing with a free people?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18102815