Essex Police Closes Hate Crime Investigation Against Columnist Allison Pearson
Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, calls for internal review
Essex Police has ended its hate crime investigation into Daily Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson.
Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the decision was made because there was no reasonable chance of securing a conviction.
Pearson had been visited by police at her Essex home on Remembrance Sunday, regarding allegations of a hate crime linked to a now-deleted tweet that accused people of colour of antisemitism.
The tweet concerned a photograph from Manchester, inaccurately insinuating the individuals were antisemitic based on a misunderstanding of their flag.
The CPS found insufficient evidence of intent to incite racial hatred.
Essex Police has asked for a review of the handling of the case by Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough.
Pearson maintains her criticism was aimed at perceived police double standards, not racial incitement.
Following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the decision was made because there was no reasonable chance of securing a conviction.
Pearson had been visited by police at her Essex home on Remembrance Sunday, regarding allegations of a hate crime linked to a now-deleted tweet that accused people of colour of antisemitism.
The tweet concerned a photograph from Manchester, inaccurately insinuating the individuals were antisemitic based on a misunderstanding of their flag.
The CPS found insufficient evidence of intent to incite racial hatred.
Essex Police has asked for a review of the handling of the case by Gwent Police Chief Constable Mark Hobrough.
Pearson maintains her criticism was aimed at perceived police double standards, not racial incitement.
