Essex Police have defended their actions following a controversial visit to the home of journalist Allison Pearson on Remembrance Sunday. The visit was related to an investigation into a social media post made by Pearson, which a member of the public flagged for allegedly inciting racial hatred. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the limits of free speech and the role of police in investigating online posts.
The Incident and Essex Police's Defense
Pearson, who is a well-known columnist, described feeling "dumbstruck" by the visit from Essex Police officers to her home. In her article, she explained that she was not informed which specific post was under investigation. However, Essex Police clarified that their visit was a follow-up to a complaint received regarding a potential offense related to inciting racial hatred online.
According to Essex Police, they never referred to the investigation as a "non-crime hate incident," as Pearson had claimed. Instead, the officers explained that the investigation stemmed from a complaint made by a member of the public about the content of Pearson's post. Essex Police emphasized that the interaction was recorded on body-worn cameras, which they assert supports their version of events.
The Social Media Post in Question
The social media post at the center of the investigation was published on November 16, 2023. Pearson shared a photograph featuring two police officers alongside two men holding a flag from the Pakistani political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Pearson tagged the Metropolitan Police in the post and commented: "How dare they." She further added, "I was invited to pose for a photo with the lovely, peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday, but the police refused. Meanwhile, look at these people smiling with the 'Jew haters.'"
Pearson's post was flagged by a member of the public on November 18, prompting an investigation. The Metropolitan Police initially received the complaint but did not pursue an investigation, instead forwarding the case to Sussex Police, and eventually to Essex Police, where Pearson resides.
The BBC's Review of the Post
Following the incident, the BBC reviewed the now-deleted post and discovered that X (formerly Twitter), the platform where the post was made, had added a notice correcting the location of the photo. The notice clarified that the photo was taken in Manchester, not London, and stated that the post was unrelated to Palestine. Despite these corrections, the police investigation continued, leading to criticism of their handling of the case.
Allison Pearson's Reaction
Pearson expressed her shock and disbelief at the police visit, which she described as intrusive and unnecessary. In her article, she wrote, "I was definitely shocked. Astonished. That too. Upset. How could I not be?" Pearson's outrage was further fueled by the fact that the investigation was reportedly being handled as a "non-crime hate incident," which she found to be a disproportionate response to her post.
Political and Public Response
The incident has sparked a fierce debate about the balance between free speech and police authority. Prominent political figures, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have voiced concerns over the investigation, arguing that it threatens free speech and undermines the principle of a free press.
Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform UK party, also criticized the police's actions, stating that Pearson had been left "terrified and scared" by the visit. Tice called for either an apology from Essex Police or for the Chief Constable to risk damaging the reputation of the force. Meanwhile, the Home Office has indicated that it is reviewing the handling of non-crime hate incidents to ensure that free speech is adequately protected.
The Future of Non-Crime Hate Incidents
In response to the controversy, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister emphasized that while it is important for police to track non-crime hate incidents to help prevent more serious crimes, they must also ensure that free speech is not unduly restricted. Essex Police have stated that they fully support free speech, but they are also committed to investigating reports of potential crimes, as there is "no public interest in falsehood."