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Has Michael McIntyre become the unwitting subject of a privacy row? Has Michael McIntyre become the unwitting subject of a privacy row?
(6 months later)
The comedian Michael McIntyre may just have become the unwitting subject of a privacy row after the police appeared to tweet a photo of him in the street.The comedian Michael McIntyre may just have become the unwitting subject of a privacy row after the police appeared to tweet a photo of him in the street.
The tweet, posted by the NPAS London Twitter feed for helicopters used by the Metropolitan Police, asked followers to guess which "energetic funny man" they had spotted in the capital.The tweet, posted by the NPAS London Twitter feed for helicopters used by the Metropolitan Police, asked followers to guess which "energetic funny man" they had spotted in the capital.
It prompted a less than enthusiastic response - with some tweeters objecting that the comedian's privacy had been invaded or that the tweet was "creepy".
Later on Wednesday, the NPAS [National Police Air Service] London Twitter feed deleted the tweet following the barrage of criticism.Later on Wednesday, the NPAS [National Police Air Service] London Twitter feed deleted the tweet following the barrage of criticism.
A spokesperson for McIntyre said the whole thing was ridiculous, telling The Independent “They should be spending their time more wisely.”A spokesperson for McIntyre said the whole thing was ridiculous, telling The Independent “They should be spending their time more wisely.”
Users are questioning whether the police should have been using their helicopters and cameras in this way.Users are questioning whether the police should have been using their helicopters and cameras in this way.
@NPASLondon you guys must love privacy! Aiming at a celeb is no excuse.
@NPASLondon Not acceptable. National Police Air Service, too trivial & abuse of privileged access to images. How about the Queen gardening?
Rob Wilton tweeted: "Did you seek the individual's consent? Or is this an abuse of your considerable surveillance powers?"Rob Wilton tweeted: "Did you seek the individual's consent? Or is this an abuse of your considerable surveillance powers?"
The photo was at least "kinda creepy", as one user put it.The photo was at least "kinda creepy", as one user put it.
@NPASLondon Wow. That's kinda creepy
@NPASLondon this is out of order. Are you snooping on anyone else going about their day?
@NPASLondon Very creepy. Stalkers. Big Brovah, always watching you.
Rosie R added: "Wonder how Mr McIntyre feels about this invasion of privacy! Did you ask his permission to tweet it?"Rosie R added: "Wonder how Mr McIntyre feels about this invasion of privacy! Did you ask his permission to tweet it?"
The NPAS said the tweet did not breach the law "as far as we know" but that it was deleted because it was felt to be inappropriate.The NPAS said the tweet did not breach the law "as far as we know" but that it was deleted because it was felt to be inappropriate.
Supt Richard Watson, ground operations director at the NPAS, said: "We are aware of the tweet and, as far as we are aware, it does not breach any data protection legislation.Supt Richard Watson, ground operations director at the NPAS, said: "We are aware of the tweet and, as far as we are aware, it does not breach any data protection legislation.
"We feel however it was inappropriate and it has since been removed."We feel however it was inappropriate and it has since been removed.
"We will be speaking to the person who posted the tweet.""We will be speaking to the person who posted the tweet."
The National Police Air Service, whose headquarters are in West Yorkshire, operate helicopters on behalf of police forces up and down the country including the Met.The National Police Air Service, whose headquarters are in West Yorkshire, operate helicopters on behalf of police forces up and down the country including the Met.
The Metropolitan Police started using the NPAS earlier this year.The Metropolitan Police started using the NPAS earlier this year.
Due to budget restraints, the NPAS has recently said it will be closing 10 of its helicopter bases to offer a ‘more efficient service’.Due to budget restraints, the NPAS has recently said it will be closing 10 of its helicopter bases to offer a ‘more efficient service’.