Kemi Badenoch warns that the Online Safety Bill, delayed until autumn, risks overreaching and stifling free expression.

A Conservative leadership candidate has spoken out against the current form of the Online Safety Bill, arguing that it is unfit to become law. Kemi Badenoch, a former minister, welcomed the news that the Bill’s final stages are being delayed until the autumn, claiming the delay is the “right move.”

Badenoch, who is vying for the Tory leadership, stated that if she becomes Prime Minister, she will ensure the Bill does not “overreach” and emphasised that legislation should not be made in response to “hurt feelings.” In her response to reports of the delay, Badenoch tweeted: “The Bill is in no fit state to become law. If I’m elected Prime Minister, I will ensure the Bill doesn’t overreach. We should not be legislating for hurt feelings.”

This came after news that the Bill’s third reading, originally scheduled for next week, would be postponed to allow time for a vote of no confidence in the Government and the progression of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. Despite this setback, sources suggest that the Online Safety Bill is likely to return to Parliament in the autumn, once the new Prime Minister is in place.

The delay has sparked concern among campaigners, particularly those focused on child protection. Andy Burrows, the head of child safety online policy at the NSPCC, warned that further postponements could delay critical measures needed to safeguard children from online harm. “The Online Safety Bill is a crucial piece of legislation that is fundamentally about protecting children from abuse happening on an industrial scale on social media. Any delay will mean families continue to pay the price for the failure and inaction of tech firms,” he said.

Tim Cairns, senior policy officer at Care, a social policy charity, echoed these concerns, recognising the importance of certain aspects of the Bill. While Care shares concerns about potential restrictions on free speech, Cairns noted that safeguarding children from harmful content, such as pornography, should be a priority. “Age verification is one measure that would reduce child exposure to pornography, which the majority of the public supports. The Bill was supposed to introduce this safeguard,” Cairns explained.

The Bill is currently in the report stage and had been expected to undergo a third reading in the House of Commons soon. However, with the delay, there are concerns that key provisions, especially those addressing child protection, could be further pushed back. Campaigners are urging the Government to either push ahead with the Bill or implement similar protections through other legislation, such as Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act.

If the Bill is not brought back under the new leadership, some fear that the Government will have failed to deliver essential protections for children, a “second betrayal” according to those advocating for stronger online safeguards.