In the Media

Articles That Mention the Free Speech Union

Tory councillor’s wife ‘had no idea what she was admitting’ when she pleaded guilty to online rant about migrants in wake of Southport attack

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Next, the Free Speech Union report:

Those present included Toby Young, founder of the Free Speech Union, journalist Allison Pearson, who was briefly investigated by police last year over a social media post about the Hamas-Israel conflict, and Dan Wootton, and former GB News presenter Dan Wootton.

Ryan Hooper, Daily Mail, 15th May 2025.

The thick blue line

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Next, the Free Speech Union report:

Someone complained about Julian’s tweet to the Met and Metropolitan Police Intelligence Command – a specialist unit set up to deal with terrorism and extremism – referred it to Kent Police, citing “concerns around online content”. The following day, six police officers turned up at his home, ransacked the premises, arrested him, detained him for eight hours and gave him a caution.

Ben Sixsmith, The Critic, 14th May 2025.

Police face lawsuit after former officer arrested over ‘thought crime’ tweet

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On Sunday, Mr Foulkes accepted an offer from the Free Speech Union (FSU) to fund a legal challenge against the force for wrongful arrest and detention.

“The FSU and Lord Young have generously agreed to fully fund a lawsuit against Kent Police,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for such excellent support and would urge anyone concerned about the sustained attack on free speech to please join the FSU. They’re fighting hard every day for all of us.”

Janet Eastham, The Telegraph, 11th May 2025.

Police apologise for arresting former colleague over ‘anti-Jewish’ tweet

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On Sunday, Foulkes accepted an offer from the Free Speech Union (FSU) to fund a legal challenge against the force for wrongful arrest and detention.

“The FSU and Lord [Toby] Young have generously agreed to fully fund a lawsuit against Kent Police,” he said. “I’m extremely grateful for such excellent support and would urge anyone concerned about the sustained attack on free speech to please join the FSU. They’re fighting hard every day for all of us.”

Peter Stubley, The Times, 11th May 2025.

Non-Crime Hate Incidents should be abolished

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One of the great problems with the practice is that what passes for a “hate crime” is extremely subjective. The Free Speech Union, which has been campaigning against NCHIs for five years, gave the example of a man in Bedfordshire who was given an NCHI after his neighbour accused him of whistling “Bob the Builder” every time he saw him.

Christian Today, 30th April 2025.