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Police chief calls for review into Ukip tweet incident Police chief admits error in sending officers over Ukip tweet incident
(about 1 hour later)
The chief constable for Cambridgeshire police has admitted it should not have become involved when a Ukip councillor complained about a blogger who tweeted a "fact check" of its policies.The chief constable for Cambridgeshire police has admitted it should not have become involved when a Ukip councillor complained about a blogger who tweeted a "fact check" of its policies.
Simon Parr has asked for an internal review into the incident , which has sparked concern over perceived attempts to clamp down on free speech. Simon Parr has asked for an internal review into the incident, which has sparked concern over perceived attempts to clamp down on free speech.
"I believe in this instance police attendance was not required and I have asked for our approach to this sort of incident to be reviewed to ensure we do not get involved unless there is clear evidence that an offence may have been committed," said Parr."I believe in this instance police attendance was not required and I have asked for our approach to this sort of incident to be reviewed to ensure we do not get involved unless there is clear evidence that an offence may have been committed," said Parr.
Parr's comments followed a visit last weekend by two police officers to Michael Abberton, a Green party member. He said he was asked to delete delete some of his tweets, in particular a retweet of a faked poster giving 10 reasons to vote for Ukip, including scrapping paid maternity leave and raising income tax for the poorest 88% of Britons. Parr's comments followed a visit last weekend by two police officers to Michael Abberton, a Green party member. He said he was asked to delete some of his tweets, in particular a retweet of a faked poster giving 10 reasons to vote for Ukip, including scrapping paid maternity leave and raising income tax for the poorest 88% of Britons.
The police visit was prompted by a complaint from a Ukip councillor who was unhappy about the tweets. Police said they made inquiries "as to whether any offences had been committed under the Representation of the People Act but none were revealed and no further action was taken".The police visit was prompted by a complaint from a Ukip councillor who was unhappy about the tweets. Police said they made inquiries "as to whether any offences had been committed under the Representation of the People Act but none were revealed and no further action was taken".
Ukip complained that Abberton was impersonating and misrepresenting the party.Ukip complained that Abberton was impersonating and misrepresenting the party.
Cambridgeshire police confirmed the visit but said they had not told Abberton to delete tweets, Cambridgeshire police confirmed the visit but said they had not told Abberton to delete tweets.
Abberton, who writes a blog called Axe of Reason, said the two officers were professional and polite, but he did question why they had visited him.Abberton, who writes a blog called Axe of Reason, said the two officers were professional and polite, but he did question why they had visited him.
He wrote: "It wasn't until after they left that I questioned why they had visited me in the first place. A complaint had been made but with no legal basis. Not a police matter. So why did they come to my home in the middle of a Saturday afternoon? Also, seeing as my profile doesn't have my location – how did they know my address, or even the town I live in? … Why would a political party, so close to an election, seek to stop people finding out what their policies are or their past voting record? And is it not a matter for concern that a political party would seek to silence dissent and debate in such a manner?"He wrote: "It wasn't until after they left that I questioned why they had visited me in the first place. A complaint had been made but with no legal basis. Not a police matter. So why did they come to my home in the middle of a Saturday afternoon? Also, seeing as my profile doesn't have my location – how did they know my address, or even the town I live in? … Why would a political party, so close to an election, seek to stop people finding out what their policies are or their past voting record? And is it not a matter for concern that a political party would seek to silence dissent and debate in such a manner?"
Politicians and civil liberties groups have expressed surprise at the involvement of the police in the matter.Politicians and civil liberties groups have expressed surprise at the involvement of the police in the matter.
Julian Huppert, Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, who was contacted by Abberton, said he was awaiting a detailed response from the police. He said: "It seems astonishing for the police to get involved. There was nothing abusive or threatening in the tweets so I do want to know why they acted, and I want to know why the police told Abberton not to tweet about the visit."Julian Huppert, Lib Dem MP for Cambridge, who was contacted by Abberton, said he was awaiting a detailed response from the police. He said: "It seems astonishing for the police to get involved. There was nothing abusive or threatening in the tweets so I do want to know why they acted, and I want to know why the police told Abberton not to tweet about the visit."
Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green party, said: "This police action is both disturbing and surprising. That an apparently general complaint from a political party about not liking what was said about them could have led to a police visit that many would find intimidating is an extremely serious incident that demands immediate investigation. Free speech is a precious right that we must defend."Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green party, said: "This police action is both disturbing and surprising. That an apparently general complaint from a political party about not liking what was said about them could have led to a police visit that many would find intimidating is an extremely serious incident that demands immediate investigation. Free speech is a precious right that we must defend."
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, said: "With all sorts of important ballots pending, the police should learn from this significant gaffe. They should be very slow to become embroiled in political spats and even slower to silence speech without legal authority and clear evidence of serious crime." Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, said: "With all sorts of important ballots pending, the police should learn from this significant gaffe. They should be very slow to become embroiled in political spats and even slower to silence speech without legal authority and clear evidence of serious crime."