Prime Minister David Cameron put himself at odds by criticising the Pope, insisting it is wrong to suggest that those who make fun of Islam and other religions could ‘expect a punch’.
Last week, the Pope, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack said there were limits to freedom of expression and that ‘provocateurs’ should not intentionally anger religious people.
Speaking on board on his way to the Philippines, Pope Francis said, ‘If my good friend Dr Gasparri says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch, throwing a pretend punch his way.
‘It’s normal. You cannot provoke. You cannot insult the faith of others. You cannot make fun of the faith of others.’
But, Mr Cameron insisted that in an open society, freedom of speech as paramount.
Mr Cameron in an interview with on US TV’s Face the Nation, the last week said: ‘I think in a free society, there is a right to cause offence about someone’s religion. Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister has also argued that there is not right to not be offended.