The much-debated begging ban has spilled over into a debate on art and freedom of speech after an MP hit out at a cartoonist online this week.

ADR MP Tom Weidig has been invited to speak with the Chamber president after leaving a comment on a caricaturist's page on Facebook, in a spat which has largely played out over social media over the last few weeks.

The cartoon by artist Carlo Schneider, which was subsequently published in the Tageblatt newspaper, depicts police minister Léon Gloden in a physical altercation with musician Serge Tonnar. The two have clashed in the wake of the begging ban, of which Gloden is a strong proponent, and the minister saw his home vandalised as a result of the ban in December.

Weidig, who claims his intent has been misunderstood, commented on a Facebook post displaying the cartoon, accusing Schneider of trivialising "politically motivated intimidation" and demanding the cartoonist publish his address "so people can come to you and you can see what it feels like to be threatened".

The incident has sparked discussions on artistic freedom of speech and culture in relation to the controversial begging ban. Minister of Culture Eric Thill also waded into the debate online, posting that "to threaten or intimidate [artists] not only violates our values as a society, but also goes against the democratic right to a free exchange of speech".

Now, Thill will have to explain his comment to the Chamber. Among others, LSAP leader Taina Bofferding called for the subject to be handled by the Presidents' Conference.

In response to questions from RTL, Chamber president Claude Wiseler confirmed he had invited Weidig to a meeting with himself and vice-president Mars Di Bartolomeo, in order to share his point of view.

At the end of next week, a report on the meeting will be submitted to the Presidents' Conference - however, it is unlikely there will be further consequences, as Weidig did not make his comments as part of any parliamentary activity.

On Thursday evening, the ADR reiterated the party's support for the begging ban at their New Year's reception. Party president Fred Keup told assembled guests that the defacing of Léon Gloden's home, in which the slogan "No to the begging ban" was spray-painted on his walls, was more than a simple act of vandalism.

Keup said it was unjust for politicians to be intimidated in such a manner, and suggested that the vandals responsible were left-wing radicals.