Essex Police has concluded its investigation into Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson, deciding to take no further action after reviewing the case with the Crown Prosecution Service. The investigation stemmed from a complaint about a social media post that allegedly incited racial hatred.
The incident began when police visited Pearson’s home on Remembrance Sunday to arrange an interview regarding the investigation. Pearson publicly expressed her shock at the visit, claiming she was told it was about a “non-crime hate incident” without being informed about the specific post in question.
However, Essex Police disputed Pearson’s account, stating that body cam footage showed officers never mentioned a “non-crime hate incident.” A non-crime hate incident is defined as a situation where no criminal offense has occurred, but the reporting person believes the incident was motivated by hostility.
The now-deleted social media post that triggered the investigation was from 16 November 2023. It featured an image of police officers standing next to men holding a flag of the Pakistani political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Pearson’s post tagged the Metropolitan Police with the words “how dare they” and included commentary criticizing the police for posing with what she described as “Jew haters” while allegedly refusing to take a photo with “peaceful British Friends of Israel.”
X (formerly Twitter) had already added a notice to the post clarifying that the image was taken in Manchester and was not related to Palestine.
The incident sparked a significant debate about free speech, with several political figures, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp and former prime minister Boris Johnson, expressing support for Pearson.
In response to the controversy, Essex Police emphasized its commitment to investigating reported allegations impartially. The force stated, “We investigate crimes reported to us without fear or favour” and acknowledged the challenges of handling cases where people hold strong opposing views.
As a result of the investigation, Chief Constable BJ Harrington has requested an independent review of the force’s handling of the matter. The review will be conducted by National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Hate Crime Lead Chief Constable Mark Hobrough, who has agreed to oversee the process.
Essex Police maintained that while they support free speech, they do not support inaccuracy. The force stated, “If an alleged crime is reported, it is investigated. There is no public interest in falsehood.”
The case highlights the complex balance between protecting free speech and addressing potential hate-related incidents, demonstrating the challenges law enforcement faces in navigating sensitive social media interactions.
