It should surprise nobody that controversial figures have an interest in defending freedom of speech given that uncontroversial speech is never under threat. The principle cannot be said to be invalidated simply because those we dislike endorse it. In surrendering our ideals out of fear of guilt by association, we subordinate our own moral agency to those we fundamentally oppose. A former friend of mine once told me that defending Meechan’s right to free speech was out of the question because Tommy Robinson got there first. I asked him why, if he so despised Robinson, would he grant him the
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