Alex Armstrong has declared it a “great day for free speech” after the Crown Prosecution Service lost its High Court bid to overturn the acquittal of a man who burned a Koran outside the Turkish consulate in London.
Hamit Coskun had initially been convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence after setting fire to a copy of the Islamic holy book in Knightsbridge while shouting anti-Islam slogans.
The incident, which took place last February, ended in violence when a passer-by attacked him.
Although Mr Coskun was fined £240 following his conviction, Southwark Crown Court overturned the ruling in October, stating that while the act was “desperately upsetting and offensive” to many, freedom of expression must include speech that “offends, shocks or disturbs”.
Coskun has been fined £240, with a statutory surcharge of £96 | PA
The Crown Prosecution Service attempted to reinstate the conviction at the High Court this week, arguing the judge had erred in concluding the protest was not disorderly.
However, Lord Justice Warby and Ms Justice Obi dismissed the appeal, saying they were “not persuaded” that any material error had been made.
The case has been backed by the Free Speech Union and the National Secular Society, both of which warned that the prosecution risked reintroducing a blasphemy law “by the back door”, despite such laws being abolished in England and Wales in 2008.
Only after the High Court ruling was handed down did GB News commentator Alex Armstrong weigh in publicly.
Hamit Coskun spoke exclusively to GB News | GB NEWS Taking to X, Armstrong wrote: “Great day for free speech. Burning a Quran or any other religious text might be offensive to you, but it is not illegal.
“There are no blasphemy laws in Britain and the CPS has rightfully lost in the High Court.”
His comments quickly gained traction online, with supporters echoing his view that while the act may have caused offence, criminalising it would set a dangerous precedent.
“Totally agree it might be offensive to some people but it’s not breaking any laws,” one viewer commented, while another wrote: “Be a great day when real men say this is enough no more.”
Great day for free speech.
Burning a Quran or any other religious text might be offensive to you, but it is not illegal.
There are no blasphemy laws in Britain and the CPS has rightfully lost in the High Court. https://t.co/XAhiRICwhL
— Alex Armstrong (@Alexarmstrong) February 27, 2026
“You can’t choose your race – criticism on these grounds is invalid and unfair but you can choose your religion – criticism on these grounds is valid and should be encouraged,” said another.
A fourth person commented: “To me as a Christian, if you buy a bible and burn it, I’m happy to leave it to God to resolve it. After all he is big enough to decide what happens if someone burns his words, he doesn’t need me to fight his battles. Yes it would be offensive to me but life can be like that!”
“The CPS is clearly anti-British and anti-free speech,” declared another.
One viewer simply stated: “Good””
A CPS spokesman insisted the case was never about blasphemy, stating: “There is no law to prosecute people for ‘blasphemy’ and burning a religious text on its own is not a criminal act.”
Prosecutors believed Mr Coskun’s “words, choice of location and burning of the Koran amounted to disorderly behaviour”.
Mr Coskun, who has said he came to the UK to “be able to speak freely about the dangers of radical Islam”, has previously claimed his prosecution amounted to “an assault on free speech”.
This is not the first time Alex has voiced his views on the issue.
Alex Armstrong took to X to call out Sir Keir Starmer | GB News
In October 2025, Alex covered the landmark legal victory when the judge reversed a previous ruling against an Mr Coskun.
The People’s Channel presenter described the original conviction as a “bizarre” and “extraordinary” penalty for causing distress to a religious institution, arguing UK law does not recognize blasphemy.
