ANN Widdecombe has said new laws over gay people are threatening free speech for the first time in modern history.

The Conservative MP for Maidstone told a debate at a Bournemouth church that Christians now face prosecution if they do not comply with some legislation.

The 62-year-old was the star speaker for Saturday’s debate on Christianity in Public Life at St Andrew’s Bournemouth United Reformed Church in Bournemouth town centre.

She said if a Christian printer refused to print leaflets for a gay pride march they would be committing a criminal offence.

“For the first time in this country we are being obliged as citizens to do things which are against our conscience,” she said.

“The other thing is that you can now have the police on your doorstep, but not for something that you have done, but for the views that you have expressed.”

She said a Christian couple was questioned by police after they asked to leave Christian literature in a council register office used for civil partnership ceremonies.

“We have now blurred the line completely between stirring up hatred and stirring up violence and merely expressing an opinion,” said Ms Widdecombe.

She added the risks Christians face over these laws are still “quite cushy” compared to the way Christians were treated in earlier times when they were crucified or burned at the stake.

She made the comments during the question and answer session following her 30-minute talk.