British police arrest ex-cop for criticizing pro-Hamas activist
British police arrested a former cop at his home in Gillingham over a comment he made on social media criticizing a pro-Hamas activist.
Weeks after the October 7th massacre of 1,200 Israelis by Hamas, tens of thousands of Brits took to London’s streets to demonstrate against Israel, chanting the pro-Hamas genocidal slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman slammed the protesters for what she described as a “hate march.”
On social media, an account called “Mr. Ethical” wrote: “Dear @SuellaBraverman – as someone who was on one of the 'hate marches', if you call me an antisemite I will sue you.”
Julian Foulkes, a 76-year-old retired cop, replied to the post saying: “One step away from storming Heathrow looking for Jewish arrivals,” suggesting Mr. Ethical was engaging in antisemitic behavior.
Free speech in the UK? ‘Yeah, right’
Within 48 hours, Foulkes’ comment had been reported to the Kent Police, where he used to work. The next day, six police officers arrived at Foulkes’ home and charged him with “malicious communications.” They handcuffed him and searched his belongings, seizing all his electronic devices. The officers expressed concern over a shopping list written by Foulkes’ wife, which contained bleach, tin foil, and gloves. They also took note of the books in Foulkes’ home, which apparently reflected Right-wing political views, and referred to them as “very Brexity things.” The ex-cop was hauled away to the police station, where he spent eight hours in jail.
Foulkes was given the option of accepting a formal warning by police, which is effectively an admission of guilt, or face prosecution. Foulkes opted to accept the warning so that he would be allowed to leave the country and visit his daughter in Australia.
“My life wouldn't be worth living if I couldn't see her. At the time, I believed a caution wouldn't affect travel, but a conviction definitely would,” he told The Telegraph.
After Foulkes sought legal counsel, Kent Police acknowledged that issuing the warning was a mistake and expunged it from his record.
Foulkes slammed the British government’s assault on free speech.
“I saw [Prime Minister Keir] Starmer in the White House telling Trump we've had [free speech] in the UK for a very long time, and I thought, 'Yeah, right.' We can see what's really going on,’” he said.
Trump administration expresses censorship concerns
The Trump administration has been openly concerned about the UK’s crackdown on free speech and has conveyed its concerns to British officials. The US State Department even made it a factor during negotiations for the trade deal signed by the two countries last week. US officials specifically said they would be monitoring the case of Livia Tossici-Bolt, a British woman who held a sign outside a Bournemouth abortion facility that read: “Here to talk if you want.” She was arrested, sentenced to two years’ probation, and ordered to pay £20,000 ($26,028).
Starmer denied censoring British citizens and told the Trump administration he is “very proud” of the UK’s record on free speech.
