The highest court in Brussels has intervened to protect freedom of speech in an emergency late-night ruling, acting to overturn the ban on the National Conservatism conference.
The conference descended into chaos yesterday after police in Brussels ordered it to be shut down, sparking outrage from speakers and guests alike. While the event continued into the afternoon, the venue was surrounded by police, and speakers and guests outside were denied access.
Nigel Farage described the events yesterday as "monstrous", while Professor Frank Furedi, an author and free speech campaigner, dubbed it "totalitarian".
Speaking to GB News, Farage said: "This is a very deeply intolerant place. If you come to Brussels with a different point of view, if you question the whole project of EU, they literally try to shut you down.
The highest court in Brussels has intervened to protect freedom of speech in an emergency late-night ruling, acting to overturn the ban on the National Conservativism conference
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"And I think what happened yesterday was a massive own goal."
With political heavyweights including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman in attendance, the National Conservatism Conference (NatCon) had aimed to bring together voices from across Europe to share their views on the continent's future political outlook.
But once Farage was on stage to address the gathered crowd, a Brussels district mayor ordered organisers to wrap up the conference within just 15 minutes.
Emir Kir, the mayor of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode in the Belgian capital, said he had issued an order banning the conference from taking place "to guarantee public safety".
A legal challenge was filed by conference organisers regarding the authorities’ decision to prohibit the conference.
In the decision the Conseil d’État decided that “Article 26 of the Constitution [of Belgium] grants everyone the right to assemble peacefully.”
While the Mayor has the authority to make police ordinances in case of “serious disturbance of the public peace or other unforeseen events,” the court said that, in this case, there was no sufficient threat of violence to justify this.
Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, a human rights lawyer and speaker at the conference, said:“In allowing the National Conservatism Conference to continue, the Administrative Court has come down on the side of basic human rights.
Nigel Farage described the events yesterday as "monstrous", while Professor Frank Furedi, an author and free speech campaigner, dubbed it "totalitarian"
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"While common sense and justice have prevailed, what happened yesterday is a dark mark on European democracy. No official should have the power to shut down free and peaceful assembly merely because he disagrees with what is being said. How can Brussels claim to be the heart of Europe if its officials only allow one side of the European conversation to be heard?
"The kind of authoritarian censorship we have just witnessed belongs in the worst chapters of Europe’s history. Thankfully, the Court has acted swiftly to prevent the repression of our fundamental freedoms to both assembly and speech, thus protecting these essential characteristics of democracy for another day.”
Police told GB News they had issued a public order notice due to the "threat of protest" at the event, though sources at the scene reported there had not yet been any sign of demonstrations.
Downing Street yesterday condemned the decision to ban the conference
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Farage hit out at what he called the "extreme intolerance" of authorities in interviews after his speech, asking: "What will this look like around the world?"
Downing Street yesterday condemned the decision to ban the conference, with a source telling GB News the decision "will worry anyone believes in free speech".
The Prime Minister's deputy official spokesperson added that the "no-platforming of speakers is damaging to democracy".
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They said: “Clearly these reports are extremely disturbing. The Prime Minister is a strong supporter and advocate of free speech and believes it is fundamental to any democracy.
“Speaking more broadly to the principle of such events, he is very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming of speakers is damaging to democracy as a result. Free debate and the exchange of views is vital even when we disagree."