Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity News,
A retired British police officer has been handed a criminal conviction and more than £1,000 in fines for resharing a satirical Facebook meme poking fun at Islam.
Stephen Gray, 65, a former Police officer who served nearly three decades, was found guilty under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 of making a "grossly offensive" post.
The case has sparked fresh warnings that blasphemy laws, abolished in England in 2008, are being revived by the back door - but only for one religion.
'It was one joke, not targeted at anybody, pointing out certain parts of Islam.'
— GB News (@GBNEWS) August 16, 2026
Former police officer and foster carer Stephen Gray recounts his experience of being charged for resharing a post criticising Islam, raising questions about a potential backdoor to blasphemy laws. pic.twitter.com/9BMeUigvxC
Gray's first concern when charged was not himself, but the young Irish girl he and his wife had been fostering for six years. "I was initially quite worried because obviously we have to have enhanced DBS checks to foster children," he told The Telegraph.
He a
