New freedom of speech case

Civil liberties groups have warned of a further erosion of free speech after police arrested a teenager for allegedly posting an image of a burning remembrance poppy on Facebook.

The arrest of the 19-year-old from Canterbury follows a serious of other incidents in which people have been given criminal records for saying unpalatable things online.

The action further raises fears that comedians could face prison for their bad-taste material.

Tim Minchin was among those to voice his concern over the latest case, tweeting: ‘You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy. Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent Police are out of line.’

And lawyer David Allen Green added on Twitter: ‘What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by Kent Police for burning a poppy?’

According to the Guardian, the image was posted with the caption: ‘How about that you squadey cunts.’

Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch said the arrest was ‘utterly ridiculous’, adding: ‘It is not illegal to offend people.’

The Kent teenager was held under Malicious Communications Act and is currently in custody.

Last month, Matthew Woods, 19, from Chorley, Lancashire, was jailed for 12 weeks after making sick jokes about missing April Jones on Facebook.

And Azhar Ahmed was ordered to do 240 hours of community service after tweeting ‘all soldiers should die and go to hell’.

Published: 12 Nov 2012