Chris Bowlby
BBC
February 15, 2010
[efoods]There have been calls for the UK’s treason laws to be used against radical Muslim groups such as Islam4UK in response to their protests about the British army’s campaign in Afghanistan. But how relevant is legislation which dates back to the 14th century?
Islam4UK proposed to demonstrate against the war at Wootton Bassett, where locals pay tribute to British soldiers whose bodies are brought home.
The organisation’s plan was greeted with outrage, with some claiming it could be considered to give “aid and comfort” to Britain’s enemies, one of the definitions of treason.
The treason laws are among our oldest, and most symbolic legislation. And prosecution and punishment for treason was once one of the most powerful actions the British authorities could take.
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