Gove warns Leveson on free speech

29 May 2012 Last updated at 12:59 ET

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Mr Gove told the inquiry freedom of speech meant some people would be offended

The case for more regulation of the press needs to be very strong "before we further curtail liberty", Michael Gove has told the Leveson Inquiry.

The education secretary said he was "concerned about any prior restraint and on their [journalists'] exercising of freedom of speech."

He said existing laws should be used to judge individuals and institutions.

Lord Justice Leveson said he did "not need to be told about the importance of free speech".

"But I am concerned that the effect of what you say might be that you are in fact taking the view that behaviour which everybody so far in this inquiry has said is unacceptable, albeit not necessarily criminal, has to be accepted because of the right of freedom of speech," he said.

(and not only has no one cited as much history as Gove here, no one has gone toe to toe with #leveson like this either)

Mr Gove, a former journalist with the Times, replied: "I don't think any of us can accept that behaviour necessarily, but there are a variety of sanctions... By definition, freedom of speech doesn't mean anything unless some people are going to be offended some of the time."

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Gove warns Leveson on free speech