Friday, May 23, 2025
MAKE A DONATION
Get in Touch
The Free Speech Union
Member Login
BECOME A MEMBER
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQS
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Shop
The Free Speech Union
Join Today

Allison Pearson cleared by press regulator after police complaint

  • BY Frederick Attenborough
  • May 1, 2025
Allison Pearson cleared by press regulator after police complaint

Essex Police is facing criticism after the press regulator threw out its complaint about The Telegraph’s reporting of its investigation of Allison Pearson.

The force claimed that a column by Pearson and a news report of a visit made to her home by officers on Remembrance Sunday last year were inaccurate, but the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) found that its complaint was without foundation.

Mark Lewis, Pearson’s lawyer, said he was “bemused as to why the police found it appropriate to file a report to a regulator” in the first place.

Pearson was visited by two officers at her home, who told her she was being investigated over a tweet she had posted on X one year earlier – and subsequently deleted – that a complainant claimed had stirred up racial hatred.

The Essex force claimed that The Telegraph’s reporting was inaccurate because Pearson had said she was told she was being investigated for a non-crime hate incident (NCHI), when the force said she was actually the subject of a criminal investigation.

But Ipso said The Telegraph had correctly reported Essex Police’s written statement that the inquiry was into a criminal offence, notwithstanding Pearson’s belief that she had been told on her doorstep that it was a NCHI.

In its ruling, Ipso said that when The Telegraph had put Pearson’s claims to the force before publication, its response “made clear that the police were investigating the matter as a criminal offence [but] the position regarding what the writer had been told during the visit had not been disputed or corrected”.

By including Essex Police’s response to Pearson’s claims, “care had been taken not to publish inaccurate information”, Ipso said.

Pearson is suing Essex Police and the Essex Police and Crime Commissioner for damages.

Mr Lewis said: “I welcome this ruling so that we can press ahead with Allison’s claim against Essex Police to determine the truth about what happened on that Remembrance Sunday.”

Pearson said: “I am delighted that Ipso has confirmed I was entitled to tell the public what happened to me on the morning of Remembrance Sunday over a tweet deleted a year earlier. I felt it was in the public interest, and still do.

“My legal team will now pursue my case against Essex Police and the commissioner of police.”

There’s more on this story here.

Previous Post

Four pro-democracy lawmakers from ‘Hong Kong 47’ group freed after four years in jail

Next Post

Free Speech Union helps overturn conviction of man who dressed as Manchester Arena bomber

Join the Free Speech Union

One annual investment for complete peace of mind.

As a member, you’ll have access to an array of resources and support, ensuring you can speak your mind without fear of being cancelled. Our experienced team provides guidance, support and – at our discretion – assistance with legal action. We will defend your right to speak your mind, however unorthodox your views, provided you don’t say anything unlawful.

Join Today

Make a Donation

Listen to our weekly news podcast

Listen to Our Past Interviews & Debates

IN THE MEDIA

News Archive

Join Our Community

Become a Member
Make a Donation

© The Free Speech Union Limited

Quick Links

Member Login
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Legal
FAQs
Facebook Twitter-square Youtube

Organisation Address

The Free Speech Union
85 Great Portland Street

London W1W 7LT
+44 020 3920 7865

Get in Touch
Media Enquiries email

Welcome to the Free Speech Union


If you’re looking for information and guidance, or in need of immediate help, please click the button below:
GET IN TOUCH
  • Become a Member
  • Make a Donation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
      • Company Staff
      • Founders & Board
      • Advisory Council
      • Legal Advisory Council
      • Writer’s Advisory Council
      • Scottish Advisory Council
      • Northern Ireland Advisory Council
    • The Freedoms We Defend​
      • Freedom of Speech
      • Freedom of Expression
      • Academic Freedom
      • Freedom of the Press
      • Freedom of Religion
    • Scotland
    • Northern Ireland
  • Latest News
  • FAQs
  • Resources
    • Informative Guides
      • Online Offences Related to Civil Disorder FAQs
      • FAQs About Scotland’s Hate Crime Act
      • FAQs About What to do if You’re Contacted by Police Scotland About a Speech-Related Complaint
      • Freedom of Speech Online FAQs
      • Freedom of Expression on Campus FAQs
      • How to Make a Freedom of Information Request
      • Gender Pronouns in the Workplace
      • How to Remove Non Crime Hate Incident from your Police Record
      • Navigating Social Media and the Workplace
      • What to do if You’ve Been De-Banked
      • Anti-Racism and Unconscious Bias Training
      • The Governments Consultation on Reforming the Human Rights Act
    • Briefing Documents
    • Press Releases
    • Media
    • Letters
    • Teaching Materials
  • Videos
  • Podcast
    • Weekly News Podcast
    • Guest Interviews & Debates
  • Events
  • Campaigns
    • Labour’s War on Free Speech
    • Higher Education Act
    • Conversion Therapy Ban
    • Say No to Banter Bouncers
    • Time to Scrap Non-Crime Hate Incidents
  • Apply For a Grant
  • Member Login
  • Shop