The UK Conservative leader raised concerns about free speech following a police investigation into a journalist’s social media post. Essex Police is looking into a post by Daily Telegraph writer Allison Pearson that allegedly stirred up racial hatred. Pearson retweeted an image of police officers at a protest alongside individuals holding a flag that was mistaken for supporting Gaza. The post was later deleted by Pearson. The police are investigating the incident as a criminal matter, not a non-crime hate incident as claimed by Pearson.
The case has drawn attention from various individuals, including Elon Musk, who expressed his views on the matter. The Conservative leader emphasized the need to reassess laws regarding free speech, while former Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged focusing on policing streets rather than tweets. Legal experts highlighted the importance of examining the actual words used before passing judgment.
The issue of non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) has been a topic of debate in the UK, with concerns raised about how these incidents are recorded by the police. More than 13,200 hate incidents were reported in the past year, according to police data. The government is reviewing guidance on free speech rights while emphasizing the importance of recording NCHIs when deemed necessary. Critics argue that individuals can be unfairly labeled with an NCHI without proper avenues for challenge or defense.