Police Should Prioritize Core Community Issues, Says Starmer
Amidst Investigation of Allison Pearson's Tweet by Essex Police
Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, emphasized that police should focus on critical community issues rather than social media, as Essex police investigate columnist Allison Pearson for inciting racial hatred with a tweet.
The controversy arose after Pearson claimed police visited her home over a now-deleted tweet accused of being a non-crime hate incident (NCHI).
Pearson's tweet allegedly depicted two men of color holding a party flag, mistaken for Hamas, with Greater Manchester police officers, labeling them as 'Jew haters.' The police have reportedly escalated the accusation under the Public Order Act, sparking discussions on free speech and police priorities.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have called for a review of NCHI regulations and emphasized the need for policing actual crimes.
The Essex police investigation continues in coordination with the CPS, prompting broader debates on hate crime laws and social media governance.