Law: Wicked thoughts are not a crime – yet – The Telegraph: By Joshua Rozenberg, Legal Editor, Last Updated: 10:06PM BST 18/06/2008

The ‘lyrical terrorist’ case has highlighted the ambiguities of a law designed to prevent atrocities .

You can think what you like. That was what the Director of Public Prosecutions told a conference on Monday organised by the free speech group Index on Censorship. Sir Ken Macdonald’s remarks were backed up by Home Office minister Tony McNulty.

‘We do not seek to outlaw thought,’ Mr McNulty said. ‘We do seek to outlaw actions, in some cases.’

The Government’s aim was to find a balance between ‘the sanctity of an individual’s free speech and the security of the wider society’.