MPs' threat to rebel on 'religious jokes' Bill

Labour MPS are threatening a rebellion against a law they claim will make religious jokes a crime.

David Blunkett is meeting backbenchers in a bid to reassure them the crackdown is aimed at extremist groups and not at comedians.

In a Commons debate a string of MPs said they were concerned at the Bill's wording, while Liberal Democrats said they would oppose it.

Labour MP Jon Owen Jones said: "There is a very real danger that if one looks at religious tracts one will find many reasons in this Bill to prosecute people for their religious beliefs."

Bob Marshall-Andrews MP said he had "grave doubts as to whether it should be criminal - as oppose to socially unacceptable - to incite hatred against someone because of what we do."

The Home Secretary said he would rewrite the Bill to make sure it met the MPs' concerns.