The Ministry of Justice has withdrawn an announcement that republicans are no longer liable for life imprisonment for their beliefs. It said that Section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848, which provides for that penalty for those who call for the abolition of monarchy, has not been repealed.
Last week a footnote to a Ministry document stated that the shameful law had been removed as a part of a cancellation of outdated laws. The Ministry later said that this had been a mistake.
In 2001 the supreme court, which is composed of Lords, refused to overrule the law denying freedom of speech to republicans. It said that although the law is in breach of the Human Rights Act it is the job of the legislature to put this right.
There have been no recent prosecutions under this law. However, it contributes to the marginalisation of republicanism in Britain, to the tolerance of pro-monarchy bias by public officials and to discrimination against republicans.
There was no public outcry when the police put some republicans in preventative detention in 2011 to stop the expression of republican speech at the time of Windsor wedding. Republicans are banned from many public offices in Britain by requirements for an oath of allegiance to the Windsor clan.