Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4664398.stm

On February 1, 2006 BBC News reported, "The government has suffered two shock defeats over attempts to overturn Lords changes to the controversial Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. In a blow to Tony Blair's authority, MPs voted by 288 votes to 278 to back a key Lords amendment to the bill, which targets incitement to religious hatred. The prime minister voted in the first division but not in the second, which was lost by one vote. Home Secretary Charles Clarke told MPs the bill would now become law. Mr Clarke claimed what had happened had been 'a purely political act' by Tories, Lib Dems and members of his own side to defeat the government, rather than a genuine consideration of the issues in the bill. The bill was aimed at extending the concept of the UK's race hate laws to cover belief but critics said ministers' proposals would have made it too wide-reaching."